Portret van een man met een jas en een das c. 1866 - 1900

This is a portrait of a man made with the photographic techniques available at the time, by Johan Christiaan Reesinck. The albumen print showcases photography's unique ability to capture a moment in time. The process involved coating paper with albumen, derived from egg whites, before applying a light-sensitive silver solution. This process resulted in a distinctive image with fine detail and a characteristic sepia tone, visible in the warm brown hues of the man's attire and skin. The subject's formal wear—jacket and tie—suggests a deliberate construction of identity, mirroring the care and labor invested in the photographic process itself. Each step, from coating the paper to the final print, demanded precision and skill. Photography in this era was more than just documentation; it was a crafted representation, imbued with the values and aspirations of its subjects. By understanding the materials, techniques, and social context, we can appreciate this work as a marriage of craft and technology, a testament to the cultural significance of portraiture.