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Queen of the May, 1875. Creator: Julia Margaret Cameron (British, 1815-1879)
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Queen of the May, 1875. Creator: Julia Margaret Cameron (British, 1815-1879)
Queen of the May, 1875. A major figure in the development of British photography, Cameron elevated the portrait to new artistic heights. She never opened a commercial studio or accepted commissions, but she was one of the first photographers to sell her photographs through a fine art gallery. Friends, neighbors, family, and servants were cajoled into modeling for portraits as themselves and as allegorical figures from history, religion, mythology, and literature. Little is known about Emily Peacock, who posed here as the protagonist in The May Queen by Britains poet laureate Alfred Tennyson. Typically crowned with flowers, the May Queen is selected as part of the celebrations on May 1, a traditional spring holiday in many cultures in the Northern Hemisphere
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Media ID 19640068
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1815 1879 Julia Margaret Cameron Julia Margaret Cameron British
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Queen of the May, 1875
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is a captivating print captured by Julia Margaret Cameron, a prominent British photographer known for her contribution to the development of photography as an art form. In this masterpiece, Cameron showcases her ability to elevate portrait photography to new artistic heights. Cameron's unique approach involved persuading friends, neighbors, family members, and even servants to pose as both themselves and allegorical figures from various sources such as history, religion, mythology, and literature. The protagonist in this particular photograph is Emily Peacock who embodies the May Queen from Alfred Tennyson's renowned poem "The May Queen". Adorned with a crown of flowers symbolizing fertility and rebirth during traditional spring celebrations on May 1st in many cultures across the Northern Hemisphere; Emily Peacock exudes grace and elegance. Although little is known about her personally or why she was chosen for this role specifically; through Cameron's lens, she becomes an ethereal embodiment of beauty and innocence. This albumen print from a wet collodion negative captures every intricate detail with precision while showcasing Cameron's mastery over composition and lighting. Displaying it prominently at The Cleveland Museum of Art allows viewers to appreciate not only the technical brilliance but also the profound storytelling that lies within this remarkable piece. As we gaze upon "Queen of the May" we are transported back in time to witness Julia Margaret Cameron's unparalleled talent in capturing human emotions and narratives through her lens.
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