Joy (1270) 1876

Editor: This stereo card, titled "Joy (1270)" by Centennial Photographic Co., shows a statue of a young child. It seems so...idealized, but also a bit staged. What can you tell me about the social context of images like this? Curator: Well, stereo cards were mass-produced, affordable entertainment. They offered middle-class Victorians a glimpse into art and culture, shaping their understanding of beauty and childhood. How do you think the International Exhibition of 1876, where this was likely sold, influenced its reception? Editor: I guess it made art more accessible, but also perhaps dictated taste and reinforced certain social values. I never thought about how photography democratized art viewing! Curator: Exactly! These cards served a public role, shaping perceptions and reinforcing societal norms about innocence and the ideal family. It’s all about the politics of imagery, isn’t it? Editor: It is! Now I’m seeing it in a whole new light. Thanks!