一、语法结构剖析
1、找出谓语动词
Of course, I need to concede that my collection of "Smiling Victorians" makes up only a tiny percentage of the vast catalogue of photographic portraiture created between 1840 and 1900, the majority of which show sitters posing miserably and stiffly in front of painted backdrops,or staring absently into the middle distance.
2、划出句子结构
[Of course], I need to concede that my collection of "Smiling Victorians"makes uponly a tiny percentage(of the vast catalogue of photographic portraiture) (created between 1840 and 1900), (the majority of whichshowsittersposing miserably and stiffly[in front of painted backdrops],or staring absently into the middle distance).
|--[评注状语]Of course “当然”
[主干] I need to concede “我需要承认....”
|--[宾语从句]that my collection of "Smiling Victorians" makes up only a tiny percentage “我收藏品中的“微笑的维多利亚人”只是其中很小的一部分”
|--[定语]of the vast catalogue of photographic portraiture--修饰percentage “在大量摄影肖像目录中”
|--[定语]created between 1840 and 1900--修饰portaiture “创作于1840到1900年之间的”
|--[非限制性定语从句]the majority of which show sitters --修饰catalogue “其中大多数的（肖像照）展示的是被拍摄者”
|--[宾补1]posing miserably and stiffly“痛苦且僵硬的摆着姿势”
|--[地点状语]in front of painted backdrops“在彩绘的背景前”
|--[并列宾补2] or staring absently into the middle distance“或心不在焉凝视远处的虚空”
二、词汇含义
concede 承认
make up 构成
collection 收藏品，藏品
catalogue 目录
portraiture 肖像摄影
sitter 被拍摄者，模特
backdrop 背景幕布
the middle distance 中景、不远处的虚空
三、“得意忘形”
当然，我必须承认，我的“微笑的维多利亚人”藏品，在1840年至1900年间创作的浩瀚摄影肖像总汇中，仅占了微不足道的一小部分；其中大多数的肖像照，展示的是被拍摄者在彩绘背景前痛苦而僵硬地摆着姿势，或是茫然地凝望着远方的虚空。