Portret van John Yeats before 1872

Caesar Ferranti created this portrait of John Yeats using the albumen print process, a popular photographic technique of the late 19th century. Think of it: the wet collodion process required photographers to be meticulous and quick, sensitizing, exposing, and developing the image all within a short span of time. Ferranti, in his Liverpool studio, navigated these challenges to capture Yeats’ likeness, a testament to the era's burgeoning interest in portraiture. This photograph would have been a luxury, and a statement about class and social standing. Examine the sharp focus on Yeats’ face. Note how the sepia tones and the texture of the albumen print lend an air of nostalgia. What was it like to sit for a portrait in that era? What did it mean to have your image captured and preserved in this way? The portrait provides a direct connection to the Victorian era and invites us to reflect on the intersection of photography, identity, and social status.