Ilfracombe, The Victorian Promenade 1870s

This is a photograph of the Victorian Promenade at Ilfracombe, made by Francis Bedford sometime in the mid-19th century. It's made using a photographic process, likely albumen print, which was cutting edge at the time, but the scene itself speaks volumes about industrial production. Think about it: the iron and glass structure, the benches, the very clothes that these holiday makers are wearing. All of this speaks to Britain's position as a global manufacturing power. You get a sense here of an emerging consumer class enjoying the fruits of industrial labour. But remember also, that the making of this photograph involved labor too, from the mining of silver needed to coat the glass plate, to the complex chemical procedures. The final print, with its sepia tones, also represents a skillful intervention by Bedford, who carefully printed and presented his work to appeal to a growing market for scenic views. In the end, this image helps us to remember that even leisurely scenes are shaped by materials, making, and context.