Portret van een onbekend meisje bij haar eerste communie 1862 - 1899

Jean Edouard Wettstein created this photographic portrait of an unknown girl around the late 19th century. Photography, even at this early stage, involved a complex interplay of chemistry and optics to capture a fleeting moment. The albumen print, made from paper coated with egg white, gave the image its characteristic sepia tone and smooth surface. Wettstein, like many photographers of his time, ran a commercial studio, and the subject’s white dress and veil, signifying purity and innocence, were likely rented for the occasion of her First Communion. The photograph's small size reflects its purpose as a personal memento, easily shared and displayed. It speaks volumes about the rituals of childhood, religious observance, and the burgeoning culture of photographic portraiture, making this a powerful social document that captures the essence of its era. It moves from a craft process to a form of commercial production.