Untitled (bust length portrait of man labeled R. Gray, possibly Reginald Gray, A.B. 1875) 1874 - 1875

Editor: Here we have an intriguing photographic portrait by William Notman, likely from the late 19th century. It's an oval, bust-length portrait of a man named R. Gray. It feels very staged and formal, almost like a calling card. What can you tell me about the context of this image? Curator: Notman operated a very successful commercial photography business. Consider the function of images like this in the 19th century. Photography offered a new form of portraiture, democratizing access to image-making and solidifying class identity. Do you think this portrait speaks to those themes? Editor: I think so. It's clearly meant to convey a certain respectability. The label implies Harvard connections and the overall aesthetic speaks to a striving for social recognition through visual representation. I see the impact of institutions on the image itself. Curator: Exactly. The photographic studio, the sitter's pose, the framing—all speak to photography's evolving role within societal structures. This image, therefore, offers a glimpse into the public performance of identity during that period. Editor: That’s really helpful. I hadn’t considered the business aspect and the societal influence.