Portret van Corry Mak van Waay-Zulver met hoed 1934 - 1935

This small, square portrait of Corry Mak van Waay-Zulver, hatless, was captured by an anonymous photographer using black and white film. Photography, by this point, had become a relatively accessible technology, yet it still involved a degree of skill in both the taking and developing of images. The photograph's material qualities—its monochrome palette, the texture of the paper, and its modest scale—all contribute to its intimate feel. This wasn't a high-status commission, but rather a personal memento. We can consider the labor involved, not only that of the photographer, but also the potential sitter. A hand-knitted sweater, like the one she's wearing, represents hours of work, and a tradition of domestic craft that was still very much alive. Consider how photography democratized portraiture, making it available beyond the elite, while also creating new kinds of labor and expertise. Understanding the material and social context of this simple image allows us to see it as more than just a representation, but as an object with its own story to tell.