Portret van een man, een vrouw en twee jonge meisjes c. 1890

This is a portrait of a man, a woman, and two young girls by Fritz Schumann, made with photography and hand-applied color. It's a window into the past, but also a highly constructed artifact, showing a family from a particular social class. Notice the hand coloring, this was a common technique used to enhance the image. The tinting and the addition of watercolor bring an element of warmth and personality to the photographic print. The added ornamentation gives it a feeling of preciousness. This labor-intensive process reminds us of a time before digital photography, when capturing and preserving memories was a more involved and crafted affair. By engaging with these traditions, the artist has imbued the artwork with cultural significance, as it encapsulates a moment in time, capturing not only the likeness of the subjects, but also a sense of their social standing and cultural values. These elements elevate the photograph beyond a mere family snapshot.