William E. Curtis (Executive Officer) 1889 - 1890

Editor: This is a portrait of William E. Curtis, an executive officer, by Mathew Brady. It's a photograph, mounted in an album. He’s holding what looks like a newspaper. What can you tell me about the social context of this work? Curator: The material reality of Brady's studio production is crucial. Consider the division of labor. Brady was the face, but he employed many photographers and darkroom technicians. How did this mass production of images influence the perception and consumption of portraiture at the time? Editor: So, it's less about Brady's artistic vision and more about the industrialization of photography and its impact on society? Curator: Precisely. Think about access and affordability. Photography democratized portraiture, but also created new forms of labor and consumption. What does the material of the photograph itself – the paper, the chemicals – tell us about the era? Editor: I see what you mean. It shifts the focus from the individual to the broader economic and social forces at play. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, it's about unveiling the processes of making and meaning.