[Anna Murat and Unknown Sitters] 1855 - 1865

These four cartes-de-visite are photographic prints on paper, likely made by Pierre-Louis Pierson in the mid-19th century. While photography is often seen as a purely mechanical process, the hand of the artist is evident here. Each print has been delicately hand-colored, bringing a painterly quality to the photographic image. The choice of attire for each sitter also speaks volumes. The elaborate, voluminous gowns, constructed from layers of fabric, signal wealth and status. Consider the labor involved in producing such garments – the spinning, weaving, and sewing, not to mention the skilled dressmakers required to assemble these fashionable confections. These portraits are as much about the display of material goods and the labor that sustains them, as they are about individual likeness. Looking closely at the materials and the processes used to create these photographs allows us to think more critically about the relationship between art, labor, and social class in the 19th century.