Portret van een onbekende jongen 1878 - 1905

This photographic portrait of an unknown boy was created by Johannes Ephraim, likely in the late 19th century, using the wet collodion process. Photography at this time involved a complex combination of chemistry and craft. The process began with coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals, then exposing it in the camera, and developing the image immediately. The resulting photograph, like this one, has a unique tonal range and depth. Consider the social context: photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider segment of society beyond the wealthy elite. However, the labor-intensive process also created a new class of skilled photographic artisans. These practitioners helped shape visual culture, and how people saw themselves. By appreciating the material and processes of this photograph, we recognize its importance in documenting history, while also acknowledging the handcraft involved in its creation.