James Otis Sargent Huntington (1854-1935) 1874 - 1875

Curator: William Notman's photograph presents James Otis Sargent Huntington, a rather arresting figure. Something about the oval frame gives the image a feeling of distance, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, a certain formality. Oval portraits often serve to isolate their subjects, to set them apart. What can you tell us about Huntington himself? Curator: Huntington later became an Episcopal monk. He co-founded the Order of the Holy Cross. This image, taken when he was a young man, offers a glimpse into the cultural moment that led to such religious vocations. Editor: The gaze is intense, almost otherworldly. I wonder what symbols are hidden here? The clothes and the framing suggest upper class privilege and yet he gave up that world to join an order. Curator: Perhaps Notman's portrait offers a glimpse into the tensions and spiritual longings of the Victorian era. Editor: Yes, those contradictions seem very alive in this image.