[Portrait of Two Girls] 1850s - 1860s

Franz Antoine made this portrait of two girls using photography, a relatively new medium in the 19th century. This process involves coating a surface with light-sensitive chemicals, exposing it to light through a lens, and then developing the image. The tones and textures in this photograph are influenced by this chemical process, and also by the material conditions of the scene. Notice the carpet and curtain, and especially the girls’ dresses. The fullness of the fabric speaks to the industrial production of textiles. Photography and mass production developed together, influencing one another. This portrait’s cultural significance lies in its ability to capture a moment in time, reflecting on themes of childhood and societal expectations. But photography itself, like those dresses, was tied to wider issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Understanding the materials and processes behind it gives us a richer appreciation of the artwork.