Cardomania: A Matter of Identity
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Orlando Echeverri Benedetti
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This essay takes you on a journey through the rise of the carte de visite, the revolutionary photographic format introduced by André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri in the mid-19th century. It explores how these small portraits took the world by storm during the era of ‘Cardomania’, becoming a symbol of social status, personal identity, and a new form of mass communication. Along the way, it also highlights the impact of cartes de visite in Jersey, showcasing the work of local photographers like Henry Mullins and their role in making the format a commercial success on the island.