[The Viscountess Canning, Barrackpore] 1858

This photograph of The Viscountess Canning was captured in Barrackpore by John Constantine Stanley, sometime in the mid-19th century. It’s a salt print, an early photographic process involving paper soaked in a salt solution, then coated with silver nitrate. The Viscountess is adorned with lace. This delicate textile, handmade by skilled artisans, underscores the luxury and refinement associated with the upper class. In 19th-century colonial India, lace was not merely a decorative element but a marker of social standing and connection to European fashion and industry. The choice of this particular material speaks volumes about the sitter's identity and the broader social dynamics at play. The act of photography itself, still relatively novel, further emphasizes the Viscountess's elevated position. The time and resources required for such a portrait would have been considerable. Therefore, considering the materials, making and context, we can understand how the portrait challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.