Portret van Adriaan Heynsius, hoogleraar geneeskunde en rector magnificus van de Universiteit Leiden 1874-1875 before 1874

This portrait of Adriaan Heynsius, Rector of Leiden University, was made by Bernardus Bruining, using the albumen print process. This photographic technique, popular in the 19th century, involved coating paper with egg white and then using light-sensitive chemicals to capture the image from a glass negative. The resulting sepia tone, as well as the smooth surface of the print, are tell-tale signs of this method. The albumen print was revolutionary, but also labor-intensive, relying on mass production of standardized chemicals and paper. It became closely associated with the rise of photography as a commercial industry, providing a relatively inexpensive way to produce portraits and other images for a growing middle class. Consider the skilled labor required to prepare the materials and the many steps involved in creating a single print. It is a reminder that even seemingly straightforward images carry a rich history of technology and human effort.