Portret van W. H. Massie before 1857

This is a photographic portrait of W.H. Massie, Rector of St. Mary's, Chester, reproduced in a journal by Captain Inglefield of the Royal Artillery. Inglefield, as an officer, exists within a very specific social structure - one built on a foundation of class and, I would argue, a certain kind of British masculinity. This image gives us access to the social structures of Victorian England. Massie, as a member of the clergy, would have been an important moral figure within this society. The class dynamics, further, are visible in the context of photographic reproduction, making imagery and information more widely available. Consider how access to images like this creates a sense of intimacy or familiarity with public figures. How does photography change our relationship to those in positions of power? This image captures a moment in the shifting dynamics between representation, class, and the individual in 19th century Britain.