Groepsportret van vijf mannen, drie vrouwen en een meisje in badkleding, voor een geschilderde achtergrond met een wolkenlucht 1898

This group portrait was captured by Christoph Martin Wieland, using photographic techniques that were revolutionizing representation at the time. The photograph’s material presence speaks volumes about the era. Early photography involved complex chemical processes, and this particular print, with its carefully posed subjects and painted backdrop, hints at the labor involved. It was a far cry from today's instant snapshots. The choice of clothing is also telling. The bathing suits, while modest by today's standards, reflect a changing attitude towards leisure and the body. Consider the social context: photography made images more accessible, but portraiture was still a deliberate act, especially for a group. This image encapsulates a moment of self-conscious display, carefully constructed and preserved through the relatively new technology of photography. By considering photography as a material process, we see how this image captures not just a group of people, but also a specific moment in the history of representation, leisure, and social identity.