Walker Hartwell (d. 1891) 1874 - 1875

Editor: This is a portrait of Walker Hartwell, taken by William Notman. It looks like a photograph, and has a very formal, almost stoic feel. What can you tell me about the context of such portraits? Curator: Well, these "carte de visite" photographs were immensely popular. Notman’s studios across Canada and the US democratized portraiture. Who got to be seen, and how were they presented? Editor: So, it’s not just about capturing an image, but about participation in a wider social phenomenon? Curator: Exactly. The sitter had agency but was constrained by the studio’s conventions. The rise of photography shifted social dynamics. What do you think it meant to own and share such images? Editor: I guess it was a way of solidifying social status and connections. It makes you wonder about the stories behind these faces, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed. It forces us to question the role of images in shaping our understanding of the past and the politics embedded within the act of portraying.