Untitled (Admiral Frederick Augustus Maxse) 1855

This is a photograph of Admiral Frederick Augustus Maxse, made by Roger Fenton. Though now considered an art form, photography in the mid-19th century was a chemical process, requiring technical expertise to coax an image into being. The photograph is printed on paper coated with light-sensitive chemicals. Notice the tonal range. This reflects the artist's skill in controlling exposure time and developing agents to create a balanced image. The final print is the result of a labor-intensive process, from preparing the chemicals, setting up the shot, developing the negative, and finally, making the print. In Fenton's time, photography was also a commercial enterprise, with studios churning out portraits for a burgeoning middle class. Yet Fenton also elevated photography to an art form, capturing not just likenesses but also mood, light, and composition. This reflects a desire to engage with the industrial technology of photography, while still insisting on its aesthetic potential. By considering its making, we can appreciate the artistry behind this early photographic portrait.