Francis Calley Gray c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have a portrait, attributed to John Adams Whipple, of Francis Calley Gray. It’s a stunning image printed with sepia tones, but you can see where the image is fading. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Consider the labor involved in creating this photograph: the preparation of the chemicals, the act of posing the subject, the printing process itself. The materials and methods used significantly shaped the final product. Editor: That's a great point. It makes me think about how access to these resources shaped who could participate in image making. Curator: Exactly! How did this new technology affect the production and consumption of portraiture, and how did that influence social class? Editor: I'd never thought of photography this way before. Thanks! Curator: Materiality matters. Thinking about it can open new avenues for art appreciation.