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Fille de Shanghai, by Raimund von Stillfried

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Raimund von Stillfried (Austrian, 1839–1911)

The albumen silver print is a photographic printing process that was widely used in the 19th century. It involves coating paper support with a mixture of egg whites and salt, which creates a glossy surface to hold light-sensitive silver salts. The paper is then sensitized in a solution of silver nitrate, and exposed in a camera or under a negative. After exposure, the print is developed in a solution of gallic acid and silver nitrate, which reduces the silver salts to metallic silver and creates the final image. The albumen print process was widely used for commercial and fine art photography in the 19th century and produced high-quality, detailed images with a distinctive glossy finish.

Stillfried initially served in the Austrian army but later pursued photography as a career. He traveled extensively throughout Japan in the 1870s, capturing images of landscapes, architecture, people, and customs. His photographs provide valuable insights into Japan during the Meiji era, offering glimpses into a society that was rapidly modernizing and changing. In 1872, Stillfried opened a photography studio in Yokohama, which became highly successful. He collaborated with various photographers, including Felice Beato, and acquired and sold negatives of their works. Stillfried's studio produced a vast array of photographs, including hand-colored albumen prints, stereographs, and souvenir albums that catered to Western tourists' interests in Japanese culture. Despite his significant contributions to early Japanese photography, Stillfried's methods were not always well-received. Some critics accused him of staging scenes or manipulating images to suit Western tastes and stereotypes. Nevertheless, his work remains important for its historical and cultural significance.

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raimund von stillfried albumen silver prints shanghai prints high resolution albumen prints early photography metropolitan museum of art chinese art
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Date

1880 - 1900
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in collections

Baron Raimund von Stillfried (1839–1911)

Austrian military officer and early professional photographer in Japan.
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Source

Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Link

http://www.metmuseum.org/
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Public Domain Dedication (CC0)

label_outline Explore Raimund Von Stillfried, Albumen Silver Prints, Early Photography

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raimund von stillfried albumen silver prints shanghai prints high resolution albumen prints early photography metropolitan museum of art chinese art