Suze v. Schendel c. 1860 - 1915

Willem Witsen captured this image, titled Suze v. Schendel, using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. The photograph itself is small and intimate, and this physical closeness mirrors the personal nature of the subject. Witsen's choice of photography democratized portraiture. Before, painted portraits were the domain of the wealthy, but now, a family could commission an image of their child. Though still a specialized skill, the darkroom processes allowed for relatively easy replication, and this made images more accessible. The black and white tones emphasize the textures, from the soft fabric of the child's dress to the paper the image is printed on. Photographs such as these, were made possible through advances in manufacturing, and chemical production, as well as the new professional role of the photographer. This highlights how technological innovation and artistic skill intertwine to shape not only the image we see, but also its broader cultural significance, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industrial production.