Zes portretten van afgestudeerde studenten van Yale University 1895

This photographic print, of six Yale graduates, was made at an unknown date by an anonymous photographer. The choice of black and white printing, along with the formal poses, gives the portraits a sense of timelessness, yet also situates them in a particular historical moment. The sharp focus and careful composition indicate a high level of technical skill, emphasizing the photographer's control over the medium, which was in the late 19th, early 20th century, becoming increasingly widespread. At the time, photography was a complex process, involving the preparation of glass plates, precise timing of exposures, and careful development in the darkroom. Each print was a unique object. Though photographs were becoming easier to produce and consume, the professional photographer still occupied a special role in society, capturing likenesses for posterity. Here, the images testify to the aspirations of a specific social class, and the increasing standardization of what it meant to be a success. Paying close attention to the materials, processes, and social context of this artwork allows us to appreciate the photographer's technical skill, while understanding the cultural significance embedded in these images.