Portret van een onbekende man 1861 - 1874

This photograph by Albert Greiner, now in the Rijksmuseum, is made of humble materials: paper and a light-sensitive emulsion. Yet, these simple components belie a complex transformation. The photographic process, unlike painting or sculpture, relies on a collaboration between nature and technology. Light itself etches the image onto the treated paper. But let's not forget the hand of the photographer, who selects the pose, adjusts the lighting, and meticulously develops the print. The rise of photography coincided with industrialization, making portraiture accessible to a wider segment of society, no longer just the wealthy. This small photograph embodies a shift in cultural production, a move towards democratization of image-making. So next time you snap a photo on your phone, remember the legacy of this quiet revolution.