Nathaniel Hathaway Stone (1853-1926) 1874 - 1875

Curator: This is a carte-de-visite photograph of Nathaniel Hathaway Stone, taken by William Notman. It's a very straightforward portrait. Editor: It's striking how the light falls on him, creating a soft, almost ethereal quality, despite the rigidity of the pose. Curator: The oval vignette isolates him, almost like a cameo. He's presented as a figure of youthful promise and virtue. Editor: These small, easily reproduced photographs democratized portraiture. Consider the labor involved in producing multiples, the chemistry, the paper. They become accessible commodities. Curator: They also became deeply personal objects, circulated among loved ones, acting as powerful mementos. This image is so poised. Editor: Yes, but also consider the broader implications of Notman's studio, a commercial enterprise shaping perceptions of identity through photographic technologies. Curator: That's a great perspective, I appreciate your thoughts. Editor: And I yours, it all helps to appreciate this small window into history.