Mrs. Craik 1850 - 1865

Curator: This intriguing piece, titled "Mrs. Craik," comes to us from somewhere between 1850 and 1865. The artwork uses a combination of mediums; specifically it is an albumen print over a daguerreotype, fixed on paper. What are your first impressions? Editor: Haunting. And utterly Victorian. She looks… well, a little world-weary, don't you think? It's as if she's seen something she can't quite shake off. Curator: I agree; there's an arresting stillness, a quiet intensity in her gaze. Considering the era and the photographic methods employed at the time, the act of sitting for a portrait like this was probably a rather formal undertaking. She appears to be posed against what looks to be shrubbery of some sort…the symbolism makes me curious! Editor: Oh, it is symbolic, definitely. Foliage often represents growth, life cycles, maybe even hidden emotions she dares not speak aloud. She is also holding a strand of beads that may connect her to mourning or remembrance rituals. What I see most of all is her lace collar - like some sort of cage surrounding her throat...a symbol of the times. Curator: I think that’s a terrific observation. There is a restraint that transcends the literal, in the portrait; one can’t help but feel it. Perhaps photography at the time functioned almost as an allegory of sorts; capturing more than likeness, but also ideas and emotions, filtered through a specific cultural understanding. Editor: Absolutely. And don't forget how radical photography was at this point in history. The ability to "capture" someone's soul – or at least their likeness – must have felt utterly transformative. The sitter would feel a unique responsibility in terms of their portrayal, the photographer the heavy burden to ensure it felt accurate to her… almost mystical, really. Curator: The Art Institute of Chicago holds this fascinating portrait in its collection and it makes me want to dive deep into the historical context. It’s clear “Mrs. Craik” is more than just a snapshot. Editor: Right? It is a portal, I believe, allowing us to glimpse at the emotional life of a Victorian woman, shrouded in mystery, isn't she? Like staring into the heart of a forgotten tale.