Slippers 1845 - 1865

Curator: These caught my eye! What do you see when you look at this photograph, called "Slippers?" Editor: Oh, hello. Hmm, they look…mournful? I imagine someone shuffling around a silent house in those. All worn down and deflated. Curator: Precisely. I find the photo deeply moving, it has an eerie calm quality. We think this image dates between 1845 and 1865. Editor: Well, if we’re thinking about that period, imagine the materials…that leather wasn't just plucked off a shelf. How was it tanned? By whom? What was the cobbler's life like? These slippers reek of labor and lived experiences! Curator: It’s a tender snapshot into someone’s world. Think about the textures, the lighting – it captures so much in what's essentially a still life. And, in the end, photography allowed people from all walks of life to capture everyday moments. Editor: I suppose…though those materials, the likely source, and the act of crafting the material should not be understated either! These photos would not exist if it were not for the labor in acquiring materials. Curator: Maybe so. They speak of domesticity, of private moments usually hidden from the grand stage of history. These slippers whispering a story... Editor: Sure. Though a crucial piece of the story is in its manufacturing history, wouldn’t you say? Think of this craftsmanship in tandem with burgeoning photography! Curator: Perhaps there are multiple truths coexisting here, don't you think? It is hard not to feel sentimental when something like this remains after all this time, it almost feels like coming home. Editor: Sentimentality aside, this conversation about labor and consumerism throughout history—well, that resonates for me. Even with a seemingly simple photograph of used footwear!