Zelfportret van Laurens Lodewijk Kleijn c. 1865 - 1900

This is Laurens Lodewijk Kleijn's self-portrait, made using photography. It is a striking work that uses the reversal of light and shadow to create a ghostly presence. Photography is an interesting medium. It is made through a collaboration of chemistry, light, and time. It is not the work of the hand, like a painting or sculpture. Kleijn would have to have knowledge of both optics and chemical reactions, to capture an image like this. Consider how the material of the photographic plate, and the processes used to develop it, influence the appearance of the portrait. The photograph's textures and tones create an ethereal quality, making the image look like a reflection in a mirror. In addition, the dual images offer a doubling of reality. Photography challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. Kleijn's self-portrait stands as a testament to the intersection of science, technology, and art, inviting us to reconsider the boundaries of artistic expression.