#cartedeviste
Carte de Viste, or CdVs emerged as a revolutionary photographic format in the mid-19th century, transforming the way individuals captured and shared their #images. French word for 'visiting card’, the CdV was more than just a #photograph; it was a symbol of social status and networking prowess. These small albumen prints typically measuring 2.5 x 4 inches, featured carefully curated portraits of individuals or groups. Invented and patented by French photographer André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri in the 1850s, the CdV quickly gained popularity, fueled by advancements in camera technology and #photographictechniques.
India, with its burgeoning elite class and cosmopolitan centers like colonial Bombay (now Mumbai), embraced the CdV with fervour when it was introduced in the 1860s. The CdV became a symbol of prestige and sophistication, circulating among the social circles of the Indian elite. However, the CdVs reign was relatively short-lived. In 1866, it faced stiff competition from the Cabinet Card, a larger format measuring 6.5 x 4.25 inches. While similar in design and material, the Cabinet Card offered an additional feature: a blank space on the reverse for photographers to advertise their studio offerings.
Despite the rise of the Cabinet Card and subsequent decline of the CdV, the legacy of this photographic format endures. CdVs offer a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of social networking and self-presentation. These miniature portraits, carefully arranged in albums, serve as tangible artifacts of 19th-century society.
Image Courtesy:
Tile 1,2,& 4: Sarmaya Foundation
Tile 3: Wiki commons
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