"Oh What a Difference in the Morning" 1898

Curator: This is a stereoscopic image by Liberty Brand titled "Oh What a Difference in the Morning." It's quite small, just 7.5 by 7.5 centimeters. Editor: It feels very intimate, a glimpse into a private, domestic space. The way the figures are positioned in bed suggests a narrative, perhaps of illness or recovery. Curator: Stereoscopic images were mass-produced, a form of accessible visual consumption. The text on the card indicates it was part of a "New Educational Series," blurring lines between entertainment and didacticism. Editor: The title itself is intriguing. It hints at broader societal attitudes towards health, labor, and the roles assigned to individuals within the domestic sphere. I wonder, what kind of difference were they trying to portray? Curator: Precisely. It prompts us to consider the social contexts and the labor involved in producing and circulating these images. Editor: Ultimately, it’s a reminder of the stories embedded within everyday objects, inviting us to question the narratives they present.