Studioportret van een jongevrouw voor een landschapschildering c. 1863 - 1866

Albert Prouzet produced this photographic print of a young woman, likely in a studio, using a painted backdrop and manufactured card stock. Photography in this era was a chemical process involving the delicate manipulation of light-sensitive materials. It also became a business, requiring not only the photographer’s knowledge but also studio assistants, suppliers of equipment, and a clientele willing to pay for the service. This image is especially interesting because it is so evidently staged. Rather than trying to imitate fine art painting, as some photographers did, Prouzet reveals the artifice of his own production. The rough texture of the faux stone wall contrasts with the smooth, manufactured surface of the photographic print and card. The overall effect is a poignant reminder of how photography, even in its early days, was deeply embedded in a network of labor, commerce, and self-presentation. To truly appreciate this image, we must consider not only the subject matter but also the social context of its making.