[Joseph Nash] 1860s

This portrait of Joseph Nash was made by John and Charles Watkins using the wet collodion process, a popular photographic technique in the mid-19th century. The process involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals, exposing it in a camera, and then developing the image immediately. The Watkins brothers were among London’s leading portrait photographers. This image reflects photography’s transition from a scientific curiosity to a commercial enterprise. The ambrotype’s materiality influences its appearance in several ways. The glass plate gives the image a sharp, detailed quality. The chemicals used in the developing process create a range of sepia tones, which add to the portrait’s warm and intimate feeling. The wet collodion process was relatively complex and required specialized knowledge and equipment. As such, the Watkins studio would have employed a skilled technician to prepare and develop the plates. This division of labor reflects the growing industrialization of photography in the mid-19th century. By emphasizing the social and economic context in which this ambrotype was created, we can gain a deeper appreciation for its significance.