Kärnthner-Ring No. 6, Wohnhaus des Herrn A. J. H. Kann c. 1860s

This photograph of Kärnthner-Ring No. 6, the residence of A. J. H. Kann, was created by an anonymous artist using a gelatin silver print process. The tones achieved through this method imbue the image with a sense of depth and texture, characteristic of the era’s photographic practices. The making of gelatin silver prints involves coating paper with light-sensitive silver halides, and this technique allowed for a high level of detail. The final print involved skilled labor and chemical processes to bring out the tones and ensure its longevity, typical of urban documentation at the time. The photograph's material qualities are tied to the social and economic context of its creation. Photography in the 19th century was intertwined with industrial progress and commercial expansion. The precision and reproducibility of photography was crucial for documentation, and for constructing a visual archive of urban spaces, architecture, and the lifestyles of its inhabitants. This image freezes a moment in time, reflective of the era's values and advancements in both artistic and industrial fields.