Feeding Poor Puss 1853 - 1856

Editor: This is “Feeding Poor Puss,” a photograph taken by John Dillwyn Llewelyn sometime between 1853 and 1856. It's an albumen print, and it feels so incredibly… staged, yet charming at the same time. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Staged charm – I love that! For me, this image sings a quiet song of Victorian life. Think about the effort to capture such a still scene back then. It wasn't a quick snapshot! There’s a deliberate attempt to frame domestic tranquility, wouldn't you agree? I almost feel as though I can smell the grass and hear the clinking of the porcelain. It makes me wonder about the untold stories behind these silent figures. Do you get that same feeling of suspended narrative? Editor: Absolutely. It’s like a glimpse into a private moment, yet clearly constructed for the viewer. I'm just curious—does that intentionality take away from its artistic merit, or does it add another layer of complexity? Curator: Oh, that’s the delicious tension, isn't it? I don't think it diminishes it at all. The staging IS the statement, darling! Llewelyn isn’t just recording; he’s composing, idealizing, creating a tiny play of light and shadow, of innocence and, dare I say, feline drama. Besides, don't we all stage our lives, to some extent? Editor: That's a great point. The very act of taking a photo is a kind of staging, isn't it? It reframes how I see historical photographs in general. Curator: Exactly! And remember, even 'reality' is curated. Looking at this photograph encourages me to seek out that sliver of artificiality in any scenario.