Rotten Row 1850 - 1900

Editor: Here we have "Rotten Row," a photogram, sometime between 1850 and 1900. It’s held here at the Art Institute of Chicago, and listed as Anonymous. I’m struck by the haze of it all. The dappled sunlight on what looks like a crowded promenade. What's your first impression of this photograph? Curator: It's a reverie, isn't it? Like stepping into a half-forgotten dream of a bygone era. Think of it: Rotten Row in Hyde Park was the place to be seen in London. The ton, the upper crust, flaunting their finery on horseback and in carriages. This isn’t just a record of an event; it’s a capture of the social atmosphere, of status and leisure. It’s quite…atmospheric, don’t you think? Editor: Definitely atmospheric. But the "Anonymous" credit intrigues me. Why wasn't the photographer credited? Curator: That, my friend, is a deliciously mysterious question. Perhaps they were experimenting, or simply documenting a scene without seeking artistic glory. Or perhaps they were an artist working outside of established circles. Do you think it might change the way we see the picture? Editor: It does add a layer, knowing it wasn't a known artist setting out to capture this scene. It feels… more candid, maybe? Like we're eavesdropping on a moment in time. Curator: Precisely! It's a visual whisper, hinting at a much larger narrative. A snapshot of a stratified society. Think of those hidden stories playing out amidst the pageantry! The secret romances, the financial anxieties lurking beneath the silk hats. The beauty of the scene contrasted to lives that may not have been quite as serene as presented. It's both beautiful and intriguing to think about the real life experiences. Editor: I didn't think about the social implications so thoroughly. Now it really resonates more deeply. It goes beyond the scenery of London's high society at the time. Curator: Exactly! That’s what makes art so captivating, right? You start with an image, but you end up with a world. It stays with you long after viewing it. Editor: Absolutely, this really changed my whole view of it. Thanks for that!