Untitled (workers with a large pot) c. 1860 - 1885

Curator: Here we see an untitled albumen print by Willoughby Wallace Hooper, taken sometime in the late 19th century. The sepia tones create a feeling of antiquity. Editor: The arrangement of figures around the central pot creates a very compelling composition. But the rough materials and visible labor are the real focus. Curator: Indeed, the composition directs the eye towards the large pot. Its placement and the workers' poses create a balanced yet dynamic visual experience. Editor: Look at the texture of those sacks and the way the light catches the uneven surface of the pot. It speaks volumes about the conditions of labor. Curator: The tonal gradations enhance the three-dimensionality, and the artist has used light and shadow to emphasize form. Editor: Yes, it is a stark view of human toil rendered through the photographic process itself. Curator: Precisely, and one that offers a complex interplay of aesthetic form and social commentary. Editor: A confluence of composition and context, truly.