Portret van een onbekende jonge vrouw 1911 - 1914

This is a photographic portrait of an unknown young woman, made by Atelier Prinses in Amsterdam. The photographic print is small, only about 13cm high, which was typical for cartes de visite—calling cards that became a popular form of social currency in the late 19th century. The albumen print, created using a process developed in 1850, gives the image its distinctive sepia tone. Paper coated with albumen, or egg white, creates a smooth surface for the photographic emulsion. The process involves skilled darkroom techniques and chemical treatments, combining artistry with industrial methods. The result is a sharp, detailed image capturing a moment in time. Consider the social implications of this technology. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider segment of society beyond the elite. While Atelier Prinses was a commercial studio, the creation of such portraits also provided employment opportunities, reflecting the changing landscape of labor and class in the burgeoning age of mass media. This image is not just a record of a person, but also of a society grappling with new technologies and social norms.