Link To Photo: http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/cameron/oz_106702.html
Photo Info: British, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, July 1874
Albumen silver print94.XM.31.4
The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
Family photographed by Julia Margaret Camero is a touching piece of work that not only makes viewers understand the importance of family but to feel the significance as if it were they in the photograph. In this picture, there is a man and two of his kids on either side of him holding hands in remembrance of their mother who passed during childbirth. The light focuses mainly on the faces of the family members to describe in facial expressions the terrible tragedy they were all witnessing. The father is wearing a black tux and beside him, two of his daughters are coated in beige color dresses, which makes them stand out. This photograph is in sepia, which provides hints that this photograph was based on many years ago.
The meaning of this work was to illustrate the importance of family and the love is has to offer. It shows that no matter what, family has to stick together and grieve to carry on. Many people don’t understand that anything could happen to anyone and everything is unpredictable. It relates to the social issue of family, which in my opinion is most important.
This artwork has definitely helped influence perceptions because it is so strong that is allows you to put your self in one of the family members positions. Almost everyone has lost someone in their family, or eventually will and it opens minds to understanding the importance of sticking together. Anne Hignonnet states, “Cameron knew love on a variety of levels and that in great art, genius and love have each fulfilled their part and both unite with force and grace.”
Reviewed work(s): Julia Margaret Cameron's Women by Sylvia Wolf
Vol. 16, No. 3 (Dec., 1998), pp. 6-7
Published by: Old City Publishing, Inc.
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4023140
