Portret van Nicolaas Beets 1860 - 1875

This photographic portrait of Nicolaas Beets was produced by Wegner & Mottu, using the 19th-century photographic technique known as the Albumen print. The albumen print begins with paper coated in egg white and silver nitrate, creating a surface sensitive to light. The negative is then placed on top, and exposed to sunlight. The result is a sepia-toned image with remarkable detail, owing to the fine light-sensitive layer. Here, the photographic process captures Beets' likeness, the tonality lending a certain gravity. The surface texture is smooth, almost like a painting, but the inherent materiality of the photograph is evident. The making of albumen prints was labor-intensive, involving careful preparation and handling of chemicals. This process speaks to the wider social context of the 19th century, when photography became increasingly accessible, yet still retained a sense of craft. The amount of labor and expertise invested in this print challenges any strict division between photography, craft, and fine art.