Collection: Photographs and Textiles

Historical portrait photographs are meticulously staged compositions where both photographer and subject play important roles. Textiles offered a kaleidoscope of design options. Photographers gave their input on the subjects’ clothing and used decorative curtains and rugs selected to harmonise or contrast if in a studio. Patterns on different fabrics broke up balanced compositions, injecting a note of dynamism. Subjects in front of the camera used their garments to convey information about their identity and social status. The clothing itself might be cause for visiting a photo studio, for example, when family or friends had clothing made for a celebration using the same fabric and wished to commemorate this. Their poses ensured that their garments and patterns were shown to their best advantage in the photographs.