Portret van een zittende vrouw en twee staande meisjes 1863 - 1890

Ed. Radermacher created this photograph of a seated woman and two standing girls sometime in the late 19th century. The image is a small print, likely an albumen print, a popular photographic process at the time. The material reality of this photograph speaks volumes about the era in which it was made. The albumen process, using egg whites to bind the image to the paper, was a laborious and skilled practice. This process was part of a wider social and economic context, one in which photography was becoming more accessible. This accessibility meant that, although still a relative luxury, more families could afford to have their portraits taken. Consider also the clothing worn by the subjects. The fabric, the cut, the decoration - each detail speaks to a level of material comfort and social standing. The act of commissioning a photograph itself was a statement.