Frederick Malcolm Norcross, Lowell, Massachusetts (1836-1887) 1858

Editor: This is a portrait of Frederick Malcolm Norcross by John Adams Whipple. It has a very formal quality to it. What do you see in the choice of materials used in early photography processes here? Curator: Let's consider the daguerreotype itself. The labor involved in polishing the silver-plated copper, sensitizing it with chemicals, the exposure time, the development process… Each step reflects the value placed on representation and the rise of industrial capitalism. Who could afford such a luxury? Editor: So, it's less about Norcross himself and more about what the photograph represents in terms of societal values and resources? Curator: Precisely. Think of the chemical processes, the commerce of photography in the 19th century, and how the medium reflected class and consumption. The photograph object is as important as the subject. Editor: That’s a fascinating way to contextualize it. I never thought about photography in terms of labor and materials before.