Portret van William Henry Fox Talbot before 1877

This is a portrait of William Henry Fox Talbot, likely made in England sometime in the mid-19th century. Talbot was one of the key figures in the invention of photography, a development that had profound social and cultural implications. Before photography, portraits were the preserve of the wealthy, who could afford to commission paintings. Photography, however, promised to democratize image-making, offering a relatively inexpensive way for people to record their likenesses. Here, we see how the visual codes of traditional portraiture were initially transferred to the new medium. Talbot is presented in a formal pose, dressed in the style of a gentleman. The oval frame recalls painted miniatures. Understanding this image requires us to consider the complex interplay between art, science, and technology in the 19th century, using archives and publications to help us understand how art both reflected and shaped its time.