Untitled (baby) c. 1890s

Curator: Here we have an untitled photograph from William Mills, a studio portrait of a baby from the late 19th century. Editor: The sepia tones give it such a warm, antique feel. And look at the intricate wickerwork of that chair—it really dates the image, doesn't it? Curator: It's a window into a very specific historical moment in portraiture, when photography was becoming more accessible, yet still imbued with a certain formality. Editor: The materials, though—the chair, the drape, even the baby's clothing—they all speak to a certain level of comfort and status, don’t they? Think about the labor involved in creating these textiles. Curator: Precisely. These portraits were commodities, accessible primarily to the middle and upper classes, representing a democratization of art but certainly not a total one. Editor: I agree, it makes you consider who had the means to commission such a portrait. It tells a story about labor, class, and the evolving landscape of photographic practices. Curator: Absolutely, these images offer insight into the cultural values and social hierarchies of the time. Editor: It's fascinating to see how the meaning of materials and portraiture has shifted through history.