Fotoreproductie van een portret van Mrs Stephen Payne-Gallwey en haar zoon Charles door Joshua Reynolds before 1867

This is a photographic reproduction by A & E. Seeley of a portrait by Joshua Reynolds, depicting Mrs Stephen Payne-Gallwey and her son Charles. Photography in the 19th century was a process of chemical and optical craft. The sepia tones, achieved through meticulous darkroom work, speak to photography's status as both an art and a science. Early photography democratized image production, enabling mass-produced portraits like this one. But consider the labor involved, from sourcing materials to the complex processing – each print was a material artifact, reflecting the skills of the photographer. The photograph’s texture, weight, and tonal range all contribute to its aesthetic value. By examining the materials and methods, we appreciate the rich social history embedded within this object. This challenges conventional distinctions between art and craft, urging us to understand how various forms of making intertwine with culture, labor, and technology.