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Thursday 20 June 2024

Our A.G.M and one lecture only

Selfies, Self-Expression, Celebrity and the Victorian Carte De Visite

By Mark Hill

We think we invented selfies but we didn’t! From the late 1850’s to the mid 1870’s a new craze gripped the world. Photography had just become popular and many could afford a portrait of themselves to share. They were mounted on card, shot professionally in studios and handed out like business cards. They were called the Victorian Carte Visite. This highly visual and relevant lecture examines the hidden meanings behind the poses, facial expressions, backgrounds and choice of clothes. The cards were used by everyone from royalty to the man in the street.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Mark Hill has been an expert on the Antiques Road show since 2007 and has appeared on BBC 2’s Antiques Road trip. He has also co-presented three primetime TV series on antiques and collecting for BBC2. He is a Senior Vice President of a company offering digital solutions to the antiques industry. He has lectured all over the world, including at the V and A in London and contributed to many publications. He is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars and a Freeman of the City of London.