Untitled (bas-relief portrait of a man) c. 1890

Curator: This is an untitled bas-relief portrait of a man by Isaiah West Taber. The image, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, is about 14 by 14 centimeters. Editor: It has a somber yet dignified air, doesn't it? The muted tones and circular framing focus our attention entirely on this man's profile. Curator: Exactly. The photographic process itself is key here. Taber, active during a transformative period in photography, likely used albumen print or a similar technique. Think about the labor involved in preparing the chemicals and the print. Editor: I'm struck by the sitter's apparent social standing. The suit, the carefully groomed mustache—it all speaks to a certain class, and it prompts me to consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture of that era. Who had the privilege to be seen and remembered? Curator: Precisely, and Taber's studio catered to that demographic. Considering photography’s growing accessibility, how did these formal portraits reinforce or challenge existing hierarchies? Editor: Food for thought. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images carry complex narratives about identity, class, and representation.