William Henry Fox, Taunton, Massachusetts (1837-1913) 1858

Curator: We're looking at John Adams Whipple's portrait of William Henry Fox, taken around 1857. The image itself is relatively small, but the mount suggests a presentation piece. Editor: There's a certain somberness to it, wouldn't you say? A sense of formality, but also vulnerability in his eyes. Curator: Yes, and Whipple was a pioneer of early American photography, experimenting with daguerreotypes and other innovative processes. The materiality of the image itself, the metallic sheen if you were seeing it in person, speaks to the labor involved in image-making at that time. Editor: The bow tie and the dark coat evoke a sense of social standing, don’t they? It's a carefully constructed image, projecting a specific identity. The oval shape frames him almost like a cameo. Curator: Right, this was at a time when photographic portraits were becoming increasingly accessible, but still carried a certain weight. It's important to consider the context of production and consumption of images like these. Editor: I agree. It's a window into a specific time, a specific person, captured through the lens of symbol and self-presentation. Curator: Thinking about the materials and labor helps to demystify the artistic process. Editor: And thinking about the symbolism helps us understand the man.