Portret van Joseph Nicolas Robert Fleury 1861 - 1867

This portrait of Joseph Nicolas Robert Fleury was made by Carjat et Cie., using photographic methods. Though we see photography as a fine art today, at this time it was largely considered an industrial practice. The appeal of photography was its promise of accurate reproduction. But it was never as simple as pointing and shooting. The photographer was a skilled practitioner, controlling the light and chemistry to achieve the desired effect. The subject, too, had to hold still for extended periods, a requirement that affected the final look of a portrait like this one. Think, too, about the social context. Photography democratized portraiture, yet it also created a new hierarchy of image-makers. Studios like Carjat et Cie. were workshops, employing many hands to produce these small testaments to individual identity. By understanding the materials, processes, and social context of this photograph, we can appreciate its full meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and industrial practice.