Portret van Engelbert Röntgen 1891

This is a photograph of Engelbert Röntgen, created by Georg Brokesch in Leipzig. We might easily overlook photographs, seeing them as simple documents. Yet they're deeply tied to industrial modes of production. Consider the albumen print, a process that involves coating paper with egg whites and silver nitrate. This was revolutionary, allowing for mass production of images. The delicate sepia tones are a direct result of the chemical reactions on the paper's surface. Now, think about the labor involved: from the photographer meticulously preparing the chemicals, to the sitter, Röntgen, who has to present himself in a certain way. The final product, small and easily reproducible, speaks to a burgeoning culture of portraiture, intimately linked with the rise of the middle class and their aspirations. So, next time you see a photograph, remember it's not just an image, but a physical object imbued with the social and economic conditions of its time. The photograph is also a humble document, a reminder of the human ingenuity embedded in everyday objects.