Portret van een vrouw before 1882

This portrait of a woman by T. Taylor is presented within the formal setting of a photograph album, made of card, paper, and photographic emulsion. The physical qualities of the image are striking. The black and white tonality gives it a gravitas and sense of history, whilst the very act of capturing a likeness through photography involved a complex chemistry, and an expertise that was becoming more widespread in the late 19th century. Framed by an oval border of printed flowers, the portrait offers a glimpse into the rituals and aspirations of the middle classes. The photograph was a relatively democratic medium. The rise of photography coincided with industrial capitalism, as did the social conventions around portraiture. While the creation of the photograph was chemical, the process was labor intensive. A skilled photographer was needed to pose the sitter, expose the plate, and develop the final image. Thinking about the material, the making, and the social context helps us to more fully understand the meaning and the moment captured in the photograph.