Portret van een geestelijke c. 1865 - 1870

This is a photograph made by Henri Blanckart, whose dates are 1833 to 1894. Photography in this period – this is likely an albumen print – was a fascinating mix of science and craft. A darkroom specialist would carefully coat a glass plate with light-sensitive emulsion. The exposure itself took a relatively long time, which is why sitters often look stiff. After the shot, the plate had to be carefully developed. The resulting negative was then contact-printed onto paper, and the image would magically appear. The final result had a distinctive look – sepia-toned, with a soft focus. This wasn't just a result of the materials; it was an aesthetic choice. Early photography was often compared to painting. Photographers like Blanckart used their techniques to create images that were both realistic and artistic. The rise of photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider range of people, and creating a mass market for images.