Who painted Mrs Alfred Wilsow?

Mrs Alfred Wilsow was painted by Shore & Co. Photographic Artists in 1850.

Where can I see Mrs Alfred Wilsow?

Mrs Alfred Wilsow is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Mrs Alfred Wilsow

Mrs Alfred Wilsow is a photographic photography by Shore & Co. Photographic Artists. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Mrs Alfred Wilsow is a mid-19th-century black-and-white photograph, attributed to Shore & Co. Photographic Artists, circa 1850, and part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The photograph depicts a woman, identified as Mrs Alfred Wilsow, standing indoors in a formal, long, dark dress with patterned trim and a high collar, her hair pulled back. Her gesture of holding her skirt suggests a pose possibly conveying modesty or elegance.

Technique & Style

Characterized by soft lighting, the image features pronounced shadows on the subject's face and dress, contributing to a gentle, introspective atmosphere. The background includes a blurred window view of outdoor elements (trees, a building), typical of early photographic techniques struggling to capture sharp depth.

History & Provenance

Created around 1850 by Shore & Co. Photographic Artists, the photograph's history prior to its acquisition by the Victoria and Albert Museum is not detailed here. Its style and subject's attire align with Victorian-era portraiture conventions.

Context

Reflecting the burgeoning photographic technology of the 1850s, this work exemplifies early studio portraiture, where subjects were often depicted in formal, indoor settings due to technical limitations and social norms.

Artist & collection

Artist

Shore & Co. Photographic Artists

Meet the Shore family photographers—three brothers who turned a London studio into a family business in the 1800s.

Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum

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