Portret van een vrouw Possibly 1881 - 1886

This portrait of a woman was made by Albert Greiner, using photographic processes that were relatively new at the time. Think about what it took to make an image like this in the 19th century. Before photography, portraiture was the domain of painting, accessible only to the wealthy. Photography democratized image-making, but it still involved considerable expertise. The photographer needed not only technical know-how, but also an understanding of composition, lighting, and posing. This image, though small, is carefully constructed. Consider the social implications of this shift. The rise of photography coincided with the growth of the middle class, who now had access to a means of self-representation previously reserved for the elite. While it may not be a painting, it is evidence of a changing society, blurring the lines between art, craft, and commerce.