Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-1879)

Best known for her powerful portraits, Julia Margaret Cameron was one of the most important and innovative photographers of the 19th century. Cameron broke all the photography “rules,” intentionally taking shots out of focus, often including scratches, smudges and other traces of her creative process. “Instead, she enlisted friends, family, and household staff in her activities,” notes The Met “aiming to capture the qualities of innocence, virtue, wisdom, piety, or passion that made them modern embodiments of classical, religious, and literary figures.” Cameron had no desire to establish a commercial studio or do commissioned portraits. Cameron’s unconventional techniques were both criticized by some and celebrated by others. The beauty of her strong and unique compositions lead many to accept photography as a form of fine art. Cameron’s portraits serve as a window into the Victoria soul.

Julia Margaret Cameron (British, 1815-1979) Thomas Carlyle, 1867 Photograph, carbon print from negative 35 x 28.1 cm The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Julia Margaret Cameron (British, 1815-1979) Henry Taylor, 1865 Photograph, albumen silver print 24.8 x 19.5 cm The J. Paul Getty Museum

Julia Margaret Cameron (British, 1815-1979) Ellen Terry at Age Sixteen Photograph, carbon print from negative 24.1 x 24.1 cm The J. Paul Getty Museum

Julia Margaret Cameron (British, 1815-1979) Charles Darwin, 1868 Photograph, carbon print from negative 260 x 210 mm Victoria and Albert Museum

Sources:

• http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/julia-margaret-cameron/julia-margaret-cameron-biography/
• https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/camr/hd_camr.htm