Rij huizen in Holborn, Londen 1870 - 1890

This photograph of Holborn in London, was produced by W.M. Spooner & Co. using the albumen print process, a popular method for achieving finely detailed images in the 19th century. The albumen process, which involves coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate, gives the print its distinctive sepia tone and smooth surface. The image captures a row of buildings, likely constructed with timber framing. The texture of the wood, with its visible grain and joints, is sharply rendered through the photographic process. The method used to produce the photograph is very important to its function as a social document. Photography at this time was a labor-intensive process, and one which was tied to Britain's imperial economy through the precious metals used to create an image. The photograph speaks to the moment in time, preserving the record of this streetscape, but also attests to the expansion of commercial practice. Looking closely, we see the arrangement of windows and shop fronts, which offers a glimpse into commercial life, and invites us to consider the relationship between craft and design, production and representation.