Albert Fitch Bellows (1829-1883) 1866 - 1871

Editor: This is a photograph of Albert Fitch Bellows by Napoleon Sarony. It looks like it's from the late 19th century. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Note how the sitter’s carefully groomed beard becomes a symbol of Victorian masculinity and the emerging importance of personal presentation. It connects us to the complex social codes of the time. What psychological weight do you think such a meticulously crafted image carried? Editor: I guess it showed status and respectability. It's interesting to think about how much effort went into crafting this one image. Curator: Indeed. Visual symbols like this served as powerful carriers of cultural memory. Consider how portraiture has evolved since, and what different messages our images send today. Editor: I’ll definitely be thinking about beards differently from now on. Thanks!