Meer met een brug en standbeeld met op de achtergrond een naaldbos in een gebergte 1870 - 1900

This photograph of a lake with a bridge and statue was made by E. Habicht using the wet collodion process, a popular method in the 19th century. The process involved coating a glass plate with a chemical solution, then exposing it in a camera while still wet. This required speed and precision, linking artistry with industrial chemistry. The resulting image, printed on paper, captures a serene landscape, yet the making of the photograph tells a story of labor and technological advancement. Consider the photographer as a skilled artisan, mastering chemistry and optics to capture this view. The tones and clarity speak to the technical expertise involved. The very existence of this image reflects broader shifts in society, where photography democratized image-making, moving it from the realm of painting to a more accessible medium. By considering its making, we understand this photograph not just as a pretty picture, but as a product of its time, embedded in the history of technology, labor, and the evolving relationship between art and industry.