Portret van een vrouw 1881 - 1897

This portrait of a woman was made by Lodewijk van de Winkel, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century, using photographic techniques common at the time. The albumen print, mounted on card, was a popular format for commercial portraiture. Its creation involved a complex chemical process using egg whites to bind light-sensitive materials to paper. This process, although seemingly scientific, was still very much a craft, requiring skilled handling and an understanding of materials. The final image, sepia-toned and sharply detailed, speaks to the sitter's status and the photographer's expertise. The mass production of these portraits reflects the rise of consumer culture and the desire for accessible personal keepsakes. The photographer, like a skilled artisan, offered a service that balanced artistic vision with commercial demands. By considering these material and social contexts, we can appreciate how photography blurred the boundaries between art, craft, and industry.