Rev. James Langton Clark 1864

Lewis Carroll captured Rev. James Langton Clark in a photograph, fixing the clergyman's likeness to paper. Dominant here is the book held in Clark's hands, an emblem of knowledge and authority, yet also, potentially, of spiritual guidance. Consider the book as a symbol, it’s evolution harkens back to ancient scrolls embodying wisdom and divine decree. In medieval art, saints are often depicted holding books, signifying their learning and piety. The Renaissance then saw books adorning the hands of philosophers and humanist scholars, a testament to their intellectual prowess. Here, Clark's book, in a Victorian setting, speaks to a period where literacy and education were increasingly accessible, yet still potent symbols of social standing and moral virtue. The act of holding something— a book, a staff, a scepter—is a recurring gesture through art history, projecting a sense of control and purpose. These are not static symbols but living entities, their meanings shaped by the currents of history and culture. The symbol of the book is resurrected in time, but now, the photograph captures a modern moment where one is holding on to traditions.