Untitled (unidentified sitter) c. 1858

Editor: This is an untitled portrait by John Adams Whipple. It's a small photograph, about 5x4 inches. The man looks… well, serious. How should we interpret a portrait like this today? Curator: Considering the era, it’s vital to understand the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. Who had access to this technology? Whose likenesses were deemed worthy of preservation? Editor: That's a good point, it was probably only a certain class of people. Curator: Exactly! And how does the sitter’s pose, his clothing, reinforce existing social hierarchies? Does his anonymity amplify or diminish the power at play here? Editor: I see what you mean. It makes you wonder about the untold stories behind the image. Curator: Precisely. This image can spur questions about access, representation, and the politics of visibility. Editor: I hadn't considered all those layers before. Thanks!