Portret van een onbekende jonge vrouw 1897 - 1909

Editor: This gelatin silver print, “Portret van een onbekende jonge vrouw” by Jannes Faber, strikes me with its delicate texture and how the subtle color adds an element of intrigue to the image. What can you tell me about how this portrait came to be, particularly considering its materiality? Curator: A crucial lens here is the socio-economic context. This work produced sometime between 1897 and 1909 invites us to consider the rise of affordable photographic portraiture. Instead of the exclusive realm of painted portraits for the wealthy, we have this mass produced, hand-tinted image for someone of a more middle-class background. How do you think that shift might affect the sitter's sense of self or social standing? Editor: That's interesting! It's easy to forget how photography democratized portraiture. Do you think that affects how Faber approached the process as a photographer? Curator: Absolutely. Faber, in signing and presenting his work as 'Photo-Teekenaatelier,' blends photographic and traditional artistry, hinting at the tension and perhaps, a striving for higher artistic standing during photography's acceptance as fine art. This blending highlights the labour involved – from setting the shot to hand-coloring the print, challenging traditional notions of "artistic genius." What impact do you believe this has on the object’s overall value, socially and economically? Editor: So the value isn’t just in the final image, but also in understanding the processes, the materials, and even the economic accessibility that it offered? I’ll definitely remember to consider the means of production for other works too! Curator: Precisely! Recognizing that interplay opens doors to richer interpretations of both the art and its role in the world.