Julia Herschel 1865

This photograph of Julia Herschel was taken by Julia Margaret Cameron in England, sometime in the 1860s. Cameron was an unusual figure in the history of photography, who used the then-new medium to achieve painterly effects. In this portrait, Cameron seems to be responding to the aesthetic conventions of academic painting at the time. Photography in Britain was used as a powerful tool, both documenting and reinforcing social hierarchies. Cameron, however, seems to want to ennoble her sitters while exploring more romantic and painterly styles. This can be seen in the soft focus and carefully arranged light. The sitter, Julia Herschel, adopts a thoughtful pose with hands clasped, which elevates her above the common perception of women at the time. In order to fully understand the artwork, historians can research exhibition reviews and publications of the time, which will clarify the social context that formed this image.