[Richard Ansdell] 1860s

This photographic print of Richard Ansdell was created by John and Charles Watkins, sometime around the middle of the 19th century. At this time, photography had become a booming industry, with the rise of celebrity portraiture, similar to how we see it today. Studios like the Watkins Brothers mass-produced images using newly available technologies, such as the carte-de-visite format. This involved using a special camera to capture multiple images on a single glass plate. This efficient process made photography accessible to a wider audience, moving it away from an exclusive, high-art status. Yet, the final prints still required skilled labor. Each photograph was carefully mounted onto card stock. As such, these images were a product of both technological advancement and human skill. So, when you look at this portrait, consider the complex interplay between technology, labor, and consumption that shaped its creation. It challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.