Samuel Pasco, Cambridge (1837-1917) 1858

Curator: Let's dive into this portrait of Samuel Pasco by John Adams Whipple. It's a fascinating look into early photography, isn't it? Editor: It really is. This portrait, probably from the 1860s, has a quiet elegance to it. I'm curious, what does it tell you about the period's approach to portraiture? Curator: Well, think about the context. Photography was still relatively new. The formal pose, the oval framing—it mimics painted portraits, signaling status. Note the inscription beneath the image: "June 28th, 1834" and "Cambridge." What does that suggest to you? Editor: Perhaps that's the date he graduated from Harvard? Curator: Precisely. This photograph becomes a record of academic achievement, a way to solidify Pasco's place in Cambridge society. Photography, then, isn't just about capturing a likeness; it's about shaping a public image. Editor: So, it's about societal role as much as individual identity. I never thought of it that way. Curator: Exactly! It highlights the social and institutional functions that even early photography served.