Mrs. Craik 1850s

This photograph, "Mrs. Craik," was made anonymously, using early photographic processes on paper. The image is a soft, almost dreamlike rendering of a woman standing by a tree, evoking a quiet, intimate moment. The way it was made – likely using a lengthy exposure time, and relatively primitive light-sensitive materials – lends itself to this feeling. Photography in this era wasn't just about snapping a picture. It was alchemical and labor-intensive, demanding time and expertise to coax an image into being. There's an inherent tension here. Photography was already becoming a tool of mass reproduction, a symbol of industrial progress. Yet, this particular print, with its handmade feel and unique materiality, resists that narrative. It reminds us that even in the age of mechanical reproduction, the human touch, and the specific qualities of materials, still hold power.