Portret van Abraham Lincoln, president van de Verenigde Staten c. 1865 - 1870

Editor: This is "Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States," made around 1865-1870, by the London Stereoscopic Company. It's a daguerreotype, so photography, but very early. The effect is…stark. It really makes me wonder, what was the role of images of public figures back then? What do you make of it? Curator: The question of its function is vital. We should really be focusing on the process itself. Consider the labor involved in creating a daguerreotype. The polishing of the silver-plated copper, the sensitization with iodine fumes... it speaks volumes about early photographic production. Editor: So, the *making* of it is central? Curator: Absolutely. Look closely at the photographic materials and chemical processes used. Ask yourself: who had access to this technology, and who was excluded? How did mass production or the lack thereof impact dissemination of this and similar images? Consider also: was this intended for individual consumption or broader distribution? Editor: I see, the scarcity creates a whole different value than today's endless image streams. Curator: Precisely. We also need to consider the economic realities of the London Stereoscopic Company. How did they profit from Lincoln’s image, especially following his assassination? Was this image designed for a middle-class market eager for mementos of a historical figure, effectively commodifying grief? Editor: Wow, I never considered the business side of these historical photos like that. So it is less about who Lincoln *was*, but more about who bought *this*? Curator: Precisely. And what kind of statement its consumption made. The photograph, then, becomes a powerful artifact for examining socio-economic dynamics during that era. Editor: It makes you see photography as a real job, too, something people did. I'm now seeing more of this in terms of production!