[James Baker Pyne] 1860s

This photograph of James Baker Pyne was taken by John and Charles Watkins sometime around 1870. It's a simple albumen print on card stock, a photographic process that was incredibly popular in the 19th century. What's interesting here is how photography, a relatively new technology, documents a painter, complete with his tools. Pyne is shown holding his palette and brushes, ready to capture a landscape. Think about the irony: a medium known for its speed and accuracy, photography, capturing the slower, more deliberate process of painting. This image highlights the changing landscape of art and labor in the industrial era. Photography offered a seemingly effortless way to reproduce images, challenging the traditional role of painting. Was it now easier to become an artist? Did photography de-skill the work of the artist? The photograph of Pyne becomes more than just a portrait, it’s a record of a changing world, where new technologies redefine how we create and consume art. It asks us to consider who can create art, how easy or difficult this labor should be, and who gets to have their portrait taken.