Henry W. Bond before 1894

This photographic print of Henry W. Bond, made anonymously, prompts questions about the interplay of image, object, and social context. Photographic printing, which emerged in the 19th century, involved complex chemical processes. The image is the result of multiple actions, each of which required skilled labor. The paper would need to be carefully prepared, exposed, and then developed to reveal the portrait. The success of the image depended on the photographer's understanding of optics, chemistry, and the material properties of paper and light. Considered in relation to labor, this portrait represents not only the sitter, but also the invisible work involved in its production. What might have been Bond's social standing? The act of having one's portrait taken and bound into a book suggests privilege, and this simple image opens up a wider discussion about class, labor, and the democratization of image-making. By considering the making of the photograph, we gain a richer appreciation of its place in history and culture.