Portret van een zittende vrouw 1855 - 1880

Editor: So, this is "Portret van een zittende vrouw," or "Portrait of a Seated Woman," attributed to Witz et Cie. sometime between 1855 and 1880. It's a photographic portrait, and it has this striking stillness, almost a gravity to it. How do you see it? Curator: What's immediately compelling is the process of production itself. Think about the labor involved in creating a photographic portrait in this era. From preparing the chemicals to the meticulous posing required of the sitter, it's a tangible artifact of its time. Editor: The clothing is interesting, too. The fabric of the woman’s dress looks rather common and appears to be a type of gingham. Does that speak to her place in society? Curator: Absolutely. The material culture is essential here. What can be determined about the manufacturing of the cloth, the dye used, and the construction of the garment can speak volumes about the sitter's economic status, access to consumer goods, and engagement with contemporary fashion. Further study might focus on whether she made it herself! How the portrait's materiality places the woman is everything. Editor: I never really considered the materiality of early photography to this extent. It makes me wonder about the availability of this medium. It's a great reminder to see art not just for the image, but the process that led to it. Curator: Exactly! And thinking critically about the layers of production and consumption allows us to move beyond traditional art historical boundaries and examine broader social and economic contexts. Every photographic portrait from that period is also an access point.