HISTORY OF PORTRAITS

Until the 18th century, portraits were only a privilege for the wealthy, given the fact that it was expensive.
But, since the invention of photography, portraiture became something everyone could enjoy.  Unfortunately, it wasn't as enjoyable for the photographers, who either went bankrupt, or had to combine the job as photographers with other jobs, like Thomson, a tobacconist who would offer a photograph with a cigar.

Nevertheless, in order to take portraits, there were a series of rules one had to follow:

1) As the process was only sensitive to blue and white light, one had to dress in appropriate colors;
2) Pictures needed suitable light and weather, which is why photographers would work on top of buildings;
3) In order to keep the sitter straight, the photographer would place a metal clamp behind his/her head;

In this period, the quality didn't matter at all, or atleast not as much as the quantity, since what was important was making money. Nevertheless, there were few photographers who did the job for passion, and so qould really concentrate on close ups and on showing the sitter's true self and emotions.

                                                                Gabriella Di Benedetto AS199-1