Class of '90 1890

Editor: So this is "Class of '90," a photograph taken by Edward H. Hart in 1890. It’s striking to see such a formal group portrait; they all seem so young. What do you see when you look at this image? Curator: I see a potent illustration of institutional power visualized. Consider the context: late 19th century, a time of burgeoning industrialization and strict social hierarchies. This photograph isn't just a collection of faces; it's a statement about belonging and conformity within a specific social structure, namely, a graduating class preparing to enter the professional world. Editor: Conformity? Can you explain what you mean? Curator: Look at their uniforms, the rigid poses. It speaks to a culture that prized order and discipline. But I'm also curious about what this image leaves out. Who isn't represented here? What societal roles are being reinforced through this image of "success"? Editor: I hadn't considered the missing narratives. This photograph acts as a historical marker, representing the values and power dynamics of its time, and also highlights who had access to these institutions. I guess group photos like this reflect much more than just who was in the frame at that particular moment. Curator: Exactly. Thinking about this piece has really brought home the vital role these kinds of images played, and continue to play, in constructing our understanding of the past.