Zelfportret van Laurens Lodewijk Kleijn c. 1865 - 1900

This self-portrait was created by Laurens Lodewijk Kleijn using a photographic process. A fragile sheet of glass became a canvas, capturing his image through light and chemistry. Reflecting on this object, the material itself tells a story. The glass plate, once pristine, now shows the marks of time. Its delicate nature speaks to the precision required by Kleijn, and the chemical process employed to create the image. The photograph is imbued with cultural significance. In Kleijn's time photography was a relatively new medium, and the portrait reveals both artistry and a skilled understanding of the tools and techniques involved. Moreover, the act of taking a self-portrait speaks to the rising status of the individual, a shift tied to broader social changes. Ultimately, this self-portrait invites us to consider the relationship between art, science, and society. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and appreciate the layers of meaning embedded within its materials and the process of its making.