Untitled (boy and girl) 1870 - 1899

This photographic print of a boy and girl was created using silver gelatin, a process that rose to prominence in the late 19th century. The image's soft, tonal range is a direct result of the silver particles suspended in the gelatin emulsion, a departure from earlier, more rigid photographic methods. The surface is smooth, with a slight sheen, emphasizing the sitters' stillness. Consider the social context: photography, once a laborious and costly endeavor, was becoming increasingly accessible, yet still required the specialized labor of a photographer. The children are stiffly posed, in their best clothes, showing the family's investment in the portrait. The mass production of photographic materials democratized image-making, while simultaneously creating a new form of labor and consumption. Looking at the photograph’s materiality and social context gives a glimpse into a society grappling with new technologies and shifting class structures.