Alphonse Karr 1850s

This photograph of Alphonse Karr was made by André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri, using a process that would have been considered radically new at the time. Disdéri was a pioneer of the carte de visite, a small, affordable photograph mounted on card stock. It was a sensation, and its popularity speaks volumes about the rise of consumer culture in the 19th century. Photography, once reserved for the elite, became democratized, accessible to the growing middle class. The carte de visite's production was highly industrial, with Disdéri employing a large staff to handle every stage, from posing and shooting to developing and printing. The finished product, though small, represents a complex web of labor, technology, and commerce. Looking at this image, it's easy to forget the immense amount of work that went into its creation. But by considering the materials, the making, and the context, we can appreciate the full significance of this seemingly simple photograph.