Julia Jackson 1864 - 1865

This is a photographic print of Julia Jackson by Julia Margaret Cameron, whose exact date is unknown, but was probably made in the 1860s. Cameron was an important figure in the early history of photography in England. This was a time when the new medium was still finding its feet as a form of artistic expression. Cameron took up photography relatively late in life and was known for her unconventional approach. She embraced the technical imperfections of the process. In doing so, she challenged the conventions of portraiture in Victorian England. Her soft-focus and often dreamlike images, like this one, offered an alternative to the sharp, highly detailed portraits that were then the norm. Cameron’s work was not always well-received by the photographic establishment, but she persisted. Her work helped to establish photography as a legitimate art form. Understanding Cameron’s place within the social and institutional history of Victorian art helps us appreciate her innovative vision.