

Discover more from Pessimists Archive Newsletter
Fears about old things when they were new
Over 8,000 subscribers
Continue reading
Portraits Were Just Expensive Selfies
In the process of exploring reactions to the advent and development of photography, we came across a fascinating article about ‘sun pictures’ - an early name for photography. One notable observation - something we don’t think about today - was that photography extended portraits to everyone. What was once only for kings, queens and titans of industry - became available to everyone. This got us thinking - weren’t portraits just expensive selfies? And aren’t selfies just the portraits of modern times?
The full articles can be read below and is well worth your time:
Source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle Brooklyn, New York 03 Jan 1886, Sun • Page 10