William H. Mumler, American, about 1861, Albumen silver print
In Focus: The Portrait, The Getty CenterExhibition January 27–June 14
Following the announcement of the invention of photography in 1839, portraiture became accessible to all. The 1850s marked the beginning of the medium's commercialization. Continuing technical improvements enabled the instant capture of likenesses under virtually any condition and expanded the dialogue between the photographer and the sitter.
While photography was first presented as the most truthful of representations, its underlying subjectivity is especially relevant in portraiture. Drawn exclusively from the J. Paul Getty Museum's collection, this selection of portraits surveys the relationship between photographer and subject, including formal portraits, intimate pictures, and documentary photographs.
