Two daughters of the Collamore family [possibly the daughters of Davis Collamore (1820-1887), who had three daughters, two of whom were named Marion Davis and Emma Augusta] c. 1857

Editor: Here we see "Two daughters of the Collamore family" by Mathew Brady. It’s a photograph; they both wear these frilly, white dresses. What can you tell us about it? Curator: Consider the materiality of the photograph itself. Brady’s studio mass-produced portraits, a new industry democratizing access to likeness. The dresses, though, speak to the Collamore family’s wealth, reflecting the consumption of textiles and elaborate garments that defined bourgeois identity. Editor: So, it’s about more than just a pretty picture? Curator: Absolutely. It's about the social context and the means of production, about making images accessible while reinforcing class distinctions through clothing and posing. It showcases the shift in art's function, intertwining representation with commerce and identity. Editor: That’s an interesting way to frame it. Thanks!