Drie mannen aan een tafel, waaronder één lezende man c. 1865 - 1890

This photograph by Wegner & Mottu presents three men gathered around a table, captured with the then-innovative process of chemical photography. The sepia tones speak to the materials used: light-sensitive emulsions and developing agents that were revolutionizing visual culture. This small card, likely part of an album, reflects a shift in how we understand labor and leisure. The subjects, possibly members of the bourgeoisie, are captured in a moment of contemplation and camaraderie, made possible by the industrial and scientific advancements of the era. The photographer’s work, requiring specialized knowledge and equipment, adds another layer to this network of production. Consider how photography democratized portraiture, making images more accessible than painted likenesses, yet still requiring the means to commission a studio like Wegner & Mottu. The image, therefore, isn’t just a depiction but an artifact, revealing social strata and new industries that were shaping 19th-century life. By considering these material and economic factors, we recognize that even a seemingly straightforward image can reveal complex histories of labor, class, and technological change.