How cool and bizarre is this Victorian era photo? I bought it in Australia, so I will presume it was taken here. However, with no identifying details written or printed on it, or knowledge of its provenance, that is nothing more than a wild surmise at best.
Leg and arm stocks, a strange and somewhat macabre photographer’s prop, fits with our convict history. But, given that until recently, we were extremely uncomfortable with the way our country made its start, it seems a strange thing for anyone to choose to be associated with, especially in the Victorian era.
While the log and pine cones have obviously been carefully placed in the frame by the photographer, suggesting the picture was taken in a studio, the grass looks real. So could this possibly be an outdoor setting with a canvas backdrop brought in for the shoot? And the book? What can we make of the pose in general? Beats me! Help me Matt from Pics of Then, you have a better eye for this than I do.
The photo is on heavy weight photographic stock and measures 152 x 199 mm. I treasure it!
Mugshots and Miscellaneous 
this is so strange and amazing. now you have me looking very, very closely at the grass too. it does look real! i can’t wait to see if someone comments and has more information about it.
Me too! It is so weird. Thanks for the comment, Lisa.
I agree it is very odd. I think it was entirely in the studio, but I can’t say for sure. I’ve seen a lot of tintypes from the US Civil War that were done outdoors, with a painted backdrop. This has somewhat of that feel, but the lighting seems more like studio lighting. Also the backdrop is so plain, it feels as if the photographer manipulated the backdrop in the print as opposed to using a typical painted canvas. And the book and glasses are very interesting details – obviously some kind of social commentary going on about education vs punishment, but what exactly is hard to say.
Thanks so much for looking at this post and commenting, Scott. You have opened my eyes to quite a few things about the image. I love the idea that this is a social commentary about education v punishment. Worth pondering.
That’s purely speculative on my part, but it’s so nonsensical in any other context – there had to be a reason somehow behind the pairing of the book and the stocks. It would be interesting to go back in time to find the context in which it was taken – was it a traditional reformer’s image to suggest “education is the key to salvation from bondage and crime” or is it some kind of radical statement that “even education will not elevate the Australian from his criminal past”?
thanks for letting me know about the possible history of this photo – if it’s indeed some kind of commentary, it’s really an amazing find (even so – still an amazing find!).
No worries, Lisa. Thanks for reading my blog!
What a wonderful photograph.
It must have some kind of story to tell. And if we never find out what it is, we can easily enough make some up. Could it just be a pun about stock photos 🙂 Of is it before that time?
Interesting that he has marked his spot (so as to not lose his place!) but is looking away from the book. My guess is a mouse ran by, or squeeked, off stage right. Or maybe it is another pun about getting lost while in the stocks. And the cones must be full of seeds, ready to germinate into new trees. Maybe that would be for making more stocks. Or a tree of knowledge.
There, I made some stories up. Which shows what a great photo it really is, to suggest so many things.
Thanks Mr E. It is a wonderful thing, imagination! I adore your new macro pics, by the way.
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