Sulisse Family 1847

This portrait of the Sulisse family was captured in a small photograph of modest means. In the 19th century, photography democratized portraiture. Before this, only the wealthy could afford to have their likeness captured in a painting. The rise of photography allowed middle-class families to participate in the tradition of preserving their image for posterity. This photograph, likely taken in Europe, reflects the values of family and social standing that were important to this emerging middle class. The subjects are dressed in their best attire, posed formally, and the photograph is carefully framed. To understand this photograph more deeply, we might look to census records, genealogical databases, and local historical societies. These sources can help us understand the social and economic context in which the Sulisse family lived. The meaning of this photograph is not simply in the image itself, but in the way it reflects the aspirations and values of a particular social class at a specific moment in time.