Poes 1855 - 1885

This photograph of a cat, titled "Poes", was made by John George Kirby sometime between 1849 and 1913. The photo itself is a small paper print, likely an albumen print, which was a popular process in the late 19th century. With this process, a thin layer of egg white and chemicals is coated on paper and then exposed to light through a negative, creating a detailed image. The tonal range and depth possible were quite extraordinary. Consider the amount of work that went into preparing the chemicals and sensitizing the paper, prior to taking the photo. This was skilled labor. The choice of such a delicate, handmade material underscores a tension between photography’s mechanical nature and the desire to imbue it with artistic qualities. It elevated photography from a mere means of documentation to a form of artistic expression. As we consider the image itself, remember that even a seemingly straightforward photograph carries a story about both the subject and the methods used to create it.