"Peter" 1860

Alfred Capel Cure captured "Peter" in 1860 using a photographic process that was then at the cutting edge. Consider this image not just as a portrait of a dog, but as an artifact of Victorian material culture. Photography was still a relatively new technology, and this print reflects the alchemical, labor-intensive processes required to make an image at this time. Each photograph was a unique object, a result of careful work in the darkroom and the meticulous manipulation of light and chemicals. The sepia tones and soft focus speak to the specific materials used. The paper, the developing solutions, and the printing techniques all contributed to its unique aesthetic. In a way, it is similar to a drawing, because each one has subtle differences, like the way artists create textures, tones, and atmosphere. Photographs like this collapse distinctions between fine art and the everyday. They demonstrate how even the most technological of media are rooted in handcraft and human labor.