JULIA MARGARET CAMERON - Mary Fisher

THE ARTWORK

"Mary Fisher" by Julia Margaret Cameron is a hauntingly beautiful portrait, showcasing the photographer’s signature soft-focus technique. Mary Fisher, a domestic servant, was one of Cameron’s frequent subjects. In this image, taken in 1864, Cameron captures Fisher’s face in close-up, emphasizing her contemplative expression and the ethereal quality of her features.

The portrait is characterized by its lack of sharpness, which was intentional on Cameron’s part, as she aimed to evoke emotional depth rather than adhere to the technical precision favored by many of her contemporaries. The soft focus lends the image a dreamy, almost otherworldly quality, while the strong lighting creates dramatic contrasts between light and shadow on Fisher’s face.

Cameron’s portrayal of Mary Fisher transcends the subject’s status, elevating her to an iconic, almost mythic figure. This image exemplifies Cameron’s artistic vision, where the focus on emotional resonance and inner beauty took precedence over conventional photographic realism.

THE ARTIST

Julia Margaret Cameron (1815–1879) was a pioneering British photographer known for her soft-focus portraits and dramatic compositions, which were groundbreaking in the mid-19th century. Born in Calcutta, India, Cameron moved to England in 1848, where she became part of an intellectual and artistic circle that included figures like Alfred Lord Tennyson and Charles Darwin. She only took up photography in her late 40s, after receiving a camera as a gift from her daughter in 1863.

Cameron's work is noted for its innovative approach, often using soft focus, close cropping, and long exposure times to create dreamlike, expressive portraits. She rejected the sharp precision that was typical of early photography, instead aiming to capture the inner character and emotional depth of her subjects. Her portraits of prominent figures like Tennyson, Darwin, and her series of allegorical and biblical scenes were highly influential.

Although some of her contemporaries criticized her work for its technical imperfections, Cameron is now recognized as one of the most important figures in the history of photography. Her work blurred the lines between photography and fine art, and her distinctive style paved the way for future developments in portrait photography and visual storytelling.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit