J.J. Witsen c. 1860 - 1915

This photograph, "J.J. Witsen", was created by Willem Witsen using gelatin silver print. Witsen's choice of the gelatin silver process speaks to the late 19th and early 20th-century shift towards photographic methods that offered both precision and reproducibility. The gelatin silver print, dominant for nearly a century, involved coating paper with light-sensitive silver halides embedded in gelatin. The process, while relatively standardized, still required considerable skill in exposure and development to achieve the desired tonal range and clarity. Note the subtle gradations in tone and the fine detail captured in the subject's face and clothing. Beyond its technical aspects, photography as a medium democratized portraiture. It allowed for broader access to image-making, moving it away from the exclusive domain of painting. The material reality of this photograph reminds us of the changing landscape of representation, labor, and access in the modern era. It prompts us to consider the social and economic implications of such shifts.