James Wade Gaff (d. 1889) 1874 - 1875

Curator: Before us is a cabinet card portrait of James Wade Gaff, who died in 1889, captured by William Notman. There is a certain solemnity here. Editor: Yes, the oval vignette and sepia tones lend it an antique, almost ghostly air. I wonder about the performative aspects of portraiture in that era and how it shaped identities. Curator: Well, Notman was a very successful commercial photographer with studios across Canada. Gaff's image circulated, contributing to his public persona. The gaze, slightly averted, speaks to notions of bourgeois masculinity. Editor: It's a carefully constructed image. I am curious about the politics embedded within it and how Gaff's identity was potentially shaped, but also constrained, by such representation. Curator: Indeed, analyzing these portraits allows us to deconstruct the social and political climate of the time. Editor: It's an intimate glimpse into the past, but also a reminder of the power structures inherent in image-making.