More Real Than Life: 19th-century Portrait Photography
Past national and international programme archive
9 June - 24 September 2017
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham
Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse
by Camille Silvy
4 July 1861
NPG x26109
More Real Than Life considers the creation of studio portrait photography during the Victorian period and the role sitters played. It will discuss the technology and techniques employed by the studios and explore the ways in which social status, celebrity and gender identity were conveyed through the use of backdrops, props, costumes and poses. The exhibition has been curated in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, the Barber Institute and students from the University of Birmingham