Mr. and Mrs. Winterbottom in their Bedroom c. 1900

Agnes Winterbottom Cooney made this cyanotype print, "Mr. and Mrs. Winterbottom in their Bedroom," sometime in the early 20th century. The image presents a slice of domestic life, but it also subtly engages with ideas about gender roles and the changing nature of American society. Made in the United States, the image shows Mr. Winterbottom comfortably seated, reading, while Mrs. Winterbottom is shown working with her hands. The setting is intimate, the bedroom space carefully arranged with religious iconography and personal mementos. Notice the sewing machine in the background, a nod to the industrial revolution, and perhaps to the increasing agency of women within the domestic sphere. As a historian, to understand this image better, I would research the Winterbottom family, and the role of women in early 20th century America. I'd want to know how this image challenged or reinforced existing social norms. Through such study we can appreciate how Cooney's photograph reflects both the private sphere and the wider social context of its time.