Portret van een onbekende man 1872 - 1885

This small portrait was made with photographic techniques by Math. Hansen in Stockholm. This isn't just a picture; it's a product of its time, reflecting both technological innovation and social practice. Photography in this era was a relatively new medium. The ambrotype or tintype processes were commonly used for these kinds of portraits, involving coating a glass or metal plate with light-sensitive emulsion. The subject's clothes and pose tell us much about the photograph. He is wearing fine clothes that could be mass produced, and is likely middle class. This image also speaks to the wider commodification of identity and social status in the 19th century. Math. Hansen was running a business. Understanding the production process invites us to consider the dynamics of labor, class, and consumption in the 19th century. It reminds us that photography, like any other form of making, is deeply embedded in its social and economic context.