Nicholas Longworth Anderson, Cincinnati, Ohio (1838-1892) 1858

Editor: Here we have John Adams Whipple’s photograph of Nicholas Longworth Anderson, seemingly taken in 1838. It's a striking image. What can you tell me about the photographic process used here? Curator: The daguerreotype, one of the earliest forms of photography, was highly material dependent. The silver-plated copper, the mercury vapors used in development, and the social context of its production for elite clientele speaks volumes. What does this early form tell us about class and consumption? Editor: It's interesting to consider the relationship between technological innovation, labor, and who could afford such portraits. I hadn't thought about the materials themselves being so central to the art's meaning. Curator: Exactly. By examining the material conditions, we move beyond simply admiring the image, but consider who had access and what kind of labor was involved in making it. Editor: This changes my perspective a lot; I will consider the economic and social impacts of an artwork now.