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3 Apr 2020

Dressed to impress

Written by Lily Barnes, Morton Photography Project Documentation and Digitisation Officer
A woman in a dark Victorian era dress, leaning against a chair and holding a white handkerchief in her right hand.
Cabinet cards? Carte-de-visites? What does it all mean? We’ll be exploring the differences between the two mediums using a selection of photographs featuring fantastic outfits.
Black and white photograph of a Victorian lady in a dark dress, standing in profile but looking at the camera, with her left hand touching her face Black and white photograph of a Victorian lady in an elaborate dress sitting on a chair Black and white photograph of a Victorian man dressed in a tartan costume, holding a stick in his right hand. Black and white photograph of a Victorian man dressed in a military outfit, holding a sabre in his left hand. Black and white photograph of a Victorian girl standing against a backdrop of an outdoor scene. Black and white photograph of a young boy in a white sailor dress, standing on top of a box against an outdoor backdrop. At the bottom of it says Cabinet Portrait, Collier & Park, Inverness. Black and white photograph of a Victorian woman, leaning against a chair, holding a white handkerchief in her right hand and looking at a book. At the bottom it says William Notman, Montreal & Ottowa, Photographer to the Queen. Black and white photograph of a girl in a dark Victorian outfit against a winter outdoor scene. At the bottom is says Topley Photo, 104 Sparks St., Ottowa, Canada. Black and white photograph of a Victorian man in Highland tartan dress with a white sporran. At the bottom it says William Notman, Montreal & Ottowa, Photographer to the Queen. Black and white photograph of a Victorian lady standing in profile, wearing a dress with a large bustle and a long white lace cap.

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