Drie vrouwen in een huiselijk interieur, Gesiena, Lucia en Cato Piek 1889 - 1893

This small photograph captures Gesiena, Lucia, and Cato Piek in a domestic interior, taken by Johanna Margaretha Piek. The photograph is a direct product of industrial chemistry, in which light-sensitive materials capture the image. While this may appear far removed from the traditions of craft, consider the labor involved in the darkroom – the precise mixing of chemicals, the timing of exposures, the careful development of the print. These are all skilled activities, demanding expertise. In its own way, photography democratized portraiture, previously the domain of wealthy patrons. While this image is humble, the proliferation of photographs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries created a visual archive of everyday life, subtly shifting both artistic practice and social dynamics. It reminds us that even in a seemingly mass-produced medium, skill and care play a crucial role.