The Passing of King Arthur 1874

Julia Margaret Cameron created "The Passing of King Arthur" using a photographic process that was relatively new at the time. The albumen print, made from a glass negative, imbues the image with a soft, dreamlike quality. Notice how Cameron uses this to her advantage. The focus isn't sharp, allowing the textures of the chainmail and the model’s beard to become almost painterly. Creating chainmail by hand is a very labor intensive process, requiring the careful interlinking of thousands of individual rings. The model's costume suggests considerable effort and expense, reflecting a romantic vision of medieval craftsmanship. Cameron was interested in more than just documentation. By invoking the legends of King Arthur, she elevated photography to the realm of high art, traditionally reserved for painting and sculpture. She challenges the perceived hierarchy between craft and fine art, demonstrating that photography, with its own unique material qualities, could be just as expressive and meaningful. The way that it was made is critical to understanding its full meaning.