Protection 1870s - 1880s

This stereograph titled 'Protection' was created by Henry Hamilton Bennett sometime in the late 19th century. The sentimental image features a young boy in a sailor suit seated next to a Newfoundland dog. During this period, such photographs offered more than simple mementos; they presented constructed visions of childhood innocence and domestic security that resonated with Victorian ideals. The contrast between the child’s delicate features and the large, protective dog reflects societal expectations of safeguarding innocence. The title itself suggests an explicit narrative of protection. But let's think, too, about the role of photography itself, in shaping and sometimes distorting historical memory. Bennett was keen to promote an image of idyllic American life, even as rapid industrialization was transforming society. 'Protection' remains a poignant study of how we see and construct notions of identity, safety, and belonging.