Portret van een man met bril en baard 1888 - 1900

This portrait of a man with glasses and a beard was captured by Johann Georg Hameter. Although we don't have an exact date, we know Hameter was active as a photographer in the late 19th century. The albumen print, a process developed in 1850, was a real innovation in photographic technology. The process involves coating paper with egg white, then exposing it to light through a negative. This method allowed for much sharper and more detailed images than previous photographic techniques. Think about the labor involved. From preparing the albumen to the careful exposure and development, photography in this period was as much craft as science. This sits at an interesting intersection of technology and artistry. Hameter's portrait reminds us that every photograph is a carefully constructed object, a record of both the sitter and the maker. So next time you see an old photograph, remember the complex interplay of materials, processes, and social context that made it possible.