Untitled (verso: albumen silver print carte de visite photograph, full-length of woman, right hand resting on back of chair, labeled Phatty) 1862 - 1888

Editor: This is an untitled photograph, an albumen silver print carte de visite, by Mary Georgiana Caroline Cecil Filmer. It shows a woman standing next to a chair. I'm struck by the formality of the pose, and I wonder about the woman in the photograph. What symbols or meanings do you find in this image? Curator: The carte de visite itself carries symbolic weight. It was a popular, portable, and affordable form of portraiture, democratizing image-making. Notice the prop, the chair – a symbol of status, but here, a rather humble one. The woman's hand gently resting upon it perhaps speaks of societal expectations of women during this time. What emotional register do you think this image is aiming for? Editor: Perhaps a sense of quiet dignity? I didn't realize how much the format itself could be so meaningful. Curator: Exactly. It makes you wonder about the woman’s story, doesn't it? Photography allows us to participate in history, making those who were once hidden, seen. Editor: Absolutely! It’s amazing how a simple image can hold so much history and meaning.