Reflections on Photographs

In her article, "Seeing Sentiment: Photography, Race, and the Innocent Eye," Laura Wexler argues that cultural theory has refused to read photographs, instead preferring to accept them as factual testaments. The notable exception is feminist theory, but Wexler adds:

"...it has been relatively silent about the internal dynamics of objectification within its own ranks, woman over woman, and about the ways in which women themselves have gained and lost from the racial and class power differentials among men." (163)

For me, this was the most thought-provoking quote in Wexler's article because it its far-reaching implications for women's studies. I recently heard an excellent lecture from Penelope Anderson on her new book, Friendship's Shadows: Women's Friendships and the Politics of Betrayal in England, 1640-1705, and I think the study of women's friendship is one field in which these "internal dynamics of objectification" should be explored.