Portret van Johnston Forbes-Robertson before 1894

This is a photographic portrait of Johnston Forbes-Robertson, made by Alfred Ellis. It's a fascinating example of early photography, a medium that was then still in its relative infancy. The albumen print, a process popularized in the mid-19th century, gives this image its characteristic sepia tone and soft focus. The process involved coating paper with albumen – egg white – and silver nitrate, creating a surface sensitive to light. This meticulous preparation, combined with long exposure times, underscores the labor involved in early photography. The material qualities – the paper's texture, the subtle variations in tone – all contribute to the portrait's overall aesthetic. Photography democratized portraiture. By understanding the processes and materials used, we gain a deeper appreciation for the social and cultural significance of this image, which bridged the gap between traditional art forms and modern modes of representation.