Untitled (group photograph at Cumberland Lodge, c. 1868, sitters include Lady Mary Filmer; the Prince and Princess of Wales; Viscount and Viscountess Bridport; verso: three photos; Prince of Wales, George, Duke of Cambridge; Duke of Mecklenburgh) 1862 - 1888

Editor: Here we have an untitled photograph from around 1868 by Mary Filmer, depicting a group at Cumberland Lodge. It feels quite formal and staged. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The rigidity speaks volumes. The group's arrangement, the architecture behind them, and even their clothing, all point to a very specific cultural performance. Notice how the doorway frames them, like figures in a religious painting. Editor: So, the setting and clothing are almost like symbols of status? Curator: Precisely. And consider the act of posing itself. It's a deliberate creation of an image for posterity, a claim to belonging and permanence. The very act of creating such an image speaks volumes about their self-perception. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It really changes how I see the photograph. Curator: Indeed. Photography, in its early days, was so much more than just documentation. It was a ritual, imbued with social and personal meaning. It's interesting to think about what aspects of their lives are hidden or highlighted through this visual performance.