Portret van een onbekende man met een bril c. 1888 - 1908

This portrait of an unknown man with glasses, was made by D.W.J. van Winsheijm using photographic methods. Photography, more than most mediums, shows the tension between art and industrial production. Photographs like this one were only made possible by technological advances: pre-coated glass plates, standardized equipment and darkroom processes, and perhaps most importantly, a large enough market to support professional photography. The subject's clothing and eyeglasses, likely mass-produced, give us a glimpse into his social status and relationship to consumer culture. Consider the photographer's labor and the sitter's investment, both contributing to the value of the final product. Images like this invite us to reflect on how technological advancements influence artistic expression, and how the availability of new materials shapes the meaning of a portrait. By considering the materials, making, and context of this photograph, we can better understand its full meaning, challenging the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.