Sick-quarters before 1890

This photograph of 'Sick-quarters' was made by Edward H. Hart using the wet collodion process, a technique that demanded meticulous preparation and immediate development. Hart would have coated a glass plate with collodion, then sensitized it in a silver nitrate solution right before exposure in the camera. The resulting image, captured with the help of light sensitive chemicals, showcases not only the architecture of the building, but also the complex labor involved in photographic production at that time. The choice of photography as a medium is itself revealing, offering what seemed to be an objective record of reality, yet carefully framed and composed by the photographer. Through his skillful manipulation of chemistry and optics, Hart invites us to consider the social context of this ‘sick-quarters’ and the care it provided. Understanding the materiality and making of this photograph allows us to appreciate its social significance, blurring the lines between documentary and art.