Janet Jevons translates the fascinating and dynamic life of Beverley Nichols into a gelatin silver print with deep, rich tones. The portrait has three different components to the mount: a moderately thick and beige base support, a thinner black paper, and a piece of Japanese tissue paper that lies just below the photograph. All these layers relate to the many lives that Nichols led throughout his eventful life. Possessing the high status of an English socialite, it is no surprise that Nichols was photographed by Jevons, a London-based photographer. Jevons was known for photographing other well-to-dos in the area such as theatre singers and even Princess Beatrice, Princess of Battenburg, and Victoria Eugenie of Battenburg, Queen of Spain.
The information offered by a photograph includes not only the image itself, but also the marks and inscriptions on the object. On the Japanese tissue paper mount directly below the print, Jevons signed her name in pencil. With this information, the viewer can learn more about the photographer and possibly more about the sitter. For example, on the back is Jevon’s studio stamp. The ink stamp states that this photograph was indeed taken by Janet Jevons and includes the address, 19-20 New Bond St., London. Written in pencil above these details is “3558 D,” perhaps an identifier for the photographer’s records. By looking beyond the photograph and seeing the object as a whole, the viewer is able to learn more than what is apparent at a first glance.
-Greta Sweeney
