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The Prettiest Doll in the World, July 5, 1870. Creator: Lewis Carroll
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The Prettiest Doll in the World, July 5, 1870. Creator: Lewis Carroll
The Prettiest Doll in the World, July 5, 1870. The model in this photograph, Alexandra (Xie) Kitchin, posed more than fifty times over eleven years, frequently for images inspired by literature. The title Carroll gave this work is the refrain of the poem " The Lost Doll" by the popular Victorian author Charles Kingsley. It tells of a childs affection for her lost toy, which she finds and dotes on in spite of damage it has suffered. It is unclear whether Xie is meant to recall the girl or her doll, but the emulsion peeling from the edges of the glass negative (which Carroll purposefully retained during printing) frames her obstinance, a visual echo of the dramas played out in childhood imagination
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Media ID 20134409
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Albumen Photograph Carpet Carpets Carroll Carroll Lewis Charles Kingsley Damaged Doll Kingsley Lewis Lewis Carroll Lost Peeling Poem Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson Sepia Soft Furnishing Studio Toys
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, titled "The Prettiest Doll in the World" transports us back to July 5,1870. The talented creator behind this mesmerizing image is none other than Lewis Carroll himself. In front of his lens stands Alexandra (Xie) Kitchin, a young model who posed for Carroll on numerous occasions over eleven years. Carroll's inspiration for this particular work comes from the refrain of Charles Kingsley's poem, "The Lost Doll". This poignant verse tells the tale of a child's unwavering affection for her damaged toy, which she cherishes despite its flaws. It remains uncertain whether Xie embodies the girl or her beloved doll in this composition. However, one cannot ignore the deliberate choice by Carroll to retain the peeling emulsion along the edges of the glass negative during printing. This artistic decision beautifully frames Xie's determination and echoes the imaginative dramas that unfold within every child's mind. As we delve into this nineteenth-century albumen photograph, we are transported to a different era—a time when soft furnishings adorned studio spaces and sepia tones added depth to portraits. Through Carroll's lens, we catch a glimpse of Victorian England and its rich literary heritage. "The Prettiest Doll in the World" invites us to reflect on our own childhood memories—the toys we cherished despite their imperfections—and reminds us that even amidst damage and wear, love endures.
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