Portret van een staande man in een tuin 1880 - 1910

This print, entitled "Portret van een staande man in een tuin", was made by Spencer & Wilson using a photographic process. Photography can be understood as a perfect medium for our modern, industrial age. The very ability to capture an image using light and chemistry speaks to both scientific innovation and the democratization of portraiture. Before photography, portraits were largely the domain of the wealthy. With photography, a likeness could be produced relatively quickly and affordably. But let's not forget the labor involved. From the careful mixing of chemicals to the precise timing of the exposure and development process, photography requires a skilled hand. And while cameras may have become more accessible over time, the artistry and technical expertise of the photographer remains crucial. Photography invites us to consider the relationship between art, labor, and technology. It also challenges traditional notions of artistic skill and production, blurring the lines between art and craft.