Sheila Inez Burch als baby, Boyolali 1936

This photograph, "Sheila Inez Burch als baby, Boyolali," is an anonymous work, likely dating from the mid-20th century, and made with photographic materials of the time. The black and white image, trimmed with a decorative border, captures a baby lying on a table outdoors. The photograph's materiality offers a lens through which to consider its cultural significance. Photography democratized portraiture, moving it away from the realm of the painted elite and towards the everyday. The making of this photograph would have involved not only the photographer’s skill but also a network of industrial processes, from the production of the film to its development in a darkroom. This small, intimate image speaks to the burgeoning middle class, and their aspiration to document and preserve family memories. Although seemingly humble, this photograph is a potent reminder of the intersection between technology, labor, and personal narratives. It challenges us to consider the photograph not just as a representation, but as a carefully constructed object, imbued with social meaning.