Scene on St. Helier, Jersey Parish c. 1853

Thomas Sutton created this albumen silver print titled "Scene on St. Helier, Jersey Parish". The image shows a picturesque harbor scene, where sailing ships rest at low tide in front of a medieval castle. Sutton was working at a time of great change for photography. The birth of photography in the 19th century coincided with an era of unprecedented colonial expansion, industrial development, and new social movements. As photography became more widespread, it played a crucial role in shaping ideas about progress. From this perspective, the ruined castle could function as a reminder of a feudal past now superseded by modern technology and trade. Historians look at the ways in which photography was used to classify people according to race, gender, and social status. By studying photographs and their contexts, we can better understand the complex and contradictory ways in which photography has shaped the modern world.