Portret van Thomas Cox 1879

This photographic portrait of Thomas Cox was made by T. Illingworth, though the exact date is unknown. The image is a mounted photograph, a process involving the careful layering of light-sensitive chemicals on paper. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider segment of society than painting ever could. The rise of photography coincided with the expansion of the middle class, offering a new means of memorializing individuals like Cox. The sepia tone gives the image a sense of timelessness, while also speaking to the specific material processes of early photography. The very act of capturing a likeness became quicker, cheaper, and more efficient, reflective of a shift towards industrial modes of production and consumption. Consider the immense amount of labor that went into producing these items. By understanding the materials, making, and social context surrounding the photograph, we can appreciate its significance beyond mere representation.