Portret van generaal Duval after 1874

This is a photographic print of General Duval, made by Antoine Lumière sometime in the late 19th century. Photography was a relatively new medium then, a product of industrial chemistry and precision engineering. Lumière’s approach was quite different from painting. It relies not on manual dexterity, but instead on his knowledge of optics and chemical processes, and on the labor of factory workers who produced the equipment and materials. In this case, we see a formal portrait. General Duval is portrayed as a man of authority and accomplishment. Every detail, from his uniform to the medals pinned to his chest, speaks to his status and power. The photograph captures not just Duval's physical appearance, but also his social position. So, considering a photograph like this, it's crucial to look beyond the image itself and think about the complex industrial processes that made it possible. Only then can we fully understand its cultural significance.