Henry Wilson 1875

This stereo card, made in Boston around 1875 by John P. Soule, features a photograph of Henry Wilson, the 18th Vice President of the United States, surrounded by “skeletonized” leaves. The process of skeletonizing leaves involves removing the soft tissue, leaving only the delicate vein structure. This laborious craft, popular in the Victorian era, speaks to an obsession with both nature and the artifice of display. These prepared leaves were arranged to form an elaborate, almost gothic, frame around Wilson's portrait, imbuing it with an aura of reverence and remembrance. Beyond mere decoration, the skeletonized leaves carry social significance. The labor-intensive process reflects Victorian values of refinement and skill. Stereo cards like these were mass-produced, yet they also incorporated handcraft. Paying attention to the materials, making, and context challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, revealing a deeper understanding of this period.