Hunting Scene | Group Portrait 1888

Henry Pauw van Wieldrecht made this albumen print, a 'Hunting Scene | Group Portrait,' sometime between 1880 and 1910. The sepia tones come from the chemical process used to develop the image on paper coated with egg white. This was a popular method for producing photographs in the late 19th century because it created sharp, detailed images. The materiality of the print itself reflects a moment in time when photography was becoming more accessible, yet still required specialized knowledge and equipment. Looking at the photograph, we see a group of men, presumably wealthy given their attire and sporting rifles. The photograph captures not just a scene, but a social context, a culture of leisure and privilege. The image serves as a material record of class, labor and consumption, hinting at a wider social hierarchy in which hunting was a pursuit reserved for the elite. Ultimately, this photograph is a powerful reminder that every artwork is rooted in a specific time, place, and set of social relations, and that paying attention to materials, making, and context can deepen our understanding.