Revel 1869 - 1874

Editor: So, this photograph, "Revel," taken sometime between 1869 and 1874 by Jeremiah Gurney, is striking! It's like peering into a forgotten world, but there's also this sort of solemn formality about it, given that we’re essentially looking at a pair of the same individual. What story do you think this piece is trying to tell? Curator: Well, considering the historical context, these stereoscopic photographs like "Revel" were hugely popular forms of mass media in the late 19th century. Before the internet, people "traveled" the world and engaged with art through these images, enjoying entertainment at home, displayed on walls and table tops. Wedding photos, like this, would have been important family records but also displays of social status. Editor: Status, how so? Curator: Photography itself was a symbol of modernity and affluence. The detailed lace, the jewelry – these elements speak to the subject’s economic standing. The proliferation of photographic studios such as Gurney's allowed for a broader range of society to participate in image making, even though access wasn't equal. Does that thought change your initial perception of the “solemn formality”? Editor: That's a great point. Knowing the historical use as media, does the choice to reproduce the woman create an attempt at spectacle rather than status, making this "Revel" meant to appeal to a large number of families and people? Curator: Exactly. The stereoscopic format emphasizes realism but also contributes to the spectacle, engaging viewers in an experience beyond a standard portrait. We must think about the political economy of image production - how studios marketed themselves, who they served, and what kind of messages they conveyed. Editor: That really reframes how I see this image. I initially focused on the subject, but understanding the socio-cultural role of these photographs is so much richer. Thank you! Curator: Absolutely! Thinking about photography as a business and cultural artifact allows us to read images more deeply.