After the mass before 1893

This photograph, titled "After the Mass," was captured by the studio of Angerer & Göschel in Vienna, Austria. The image is printed on a page from a book, likely a photography manual, which itself is a mass-produced object. The photographic process itself is key here. Photography democratized portraiture. Before, only the wealthy could afford to have their likeness captured by a painter. But here, through advances in chemistry, optics, and printing, we see an image replicated and disseminated widely. The photograph is a subtle blend of art and industry, reflecting the changing social landscape of the time, and speaks to the power of mass production and consumption in shaping our understanding of art and culture. This convergence challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, suggesting a more fluid relationship between the two.