Portret van een onbekende man 1860 - 1900

This photographic portrait of an unknown man was made by Bernardus Bruining in Leiden. The carte-de-visite, as it’s known, is made of paper, but its apparent simplicity belies its significance. Photography in the 19th century was as much a science as an art, requiring a deep understanding of chemistry and optics. The process involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive emulsion, exposing it in a camera, and then developing the image through a series of chemical baths. Each step demanded precision and skill, transforming the raw materials into a lasting image. The rise of photography democratized portraiture. While painting remained the domain of the wealthy, photography offered a more accessible means of capturing one's likeness, influencing the creation, consumption, and dissemination of images, and challenging traditional notions of artistic skill and value. So, next time you see a photograph, remember that it's not just an image, it's a testament to human ingenuity, a product of complex processes, and a reflection of the social and economic forces that shaped its creation.