[Vignetted portrait, woman holding a baby] 1850s - 1860s

Alfred Capel Cure created this photograph of a woman holding a baby using the wet collodion process, a popular method in the mid-19th century. The image offers a glimpse into the Victorian era's rigid social structure, particularly the idealized role of women as mothers. The soft focus and intimate pose reflect the sentimental values placed on family and domesticity during this period. It's worth noting that photography at the time was becoming more accessible, yet portraiture remained a status symbol, often used by the middle and upper classes to project a desired image of themselves. To fully understand the photograph, we can delve into the social history of Victorian England, examining census records, etiquette manuals, and other visual materials like paintings and prints. These sources can reveal the complex interplay of class, gender, and representation in Victorian society. By exploring these contextual layers, we can better understand the photograph's meaning and significance within its specific time and place.