inches), it was a common size for family keepsakes and was usually protected behind glass in a decorative leather or thermoplastic case. Archival Significance
The chemical transition of silver-plated copper into a mirror-like image. 5423290_050.jpg
At The Met, this specific file number is associated with the museum’s digital preservation efforts. It serves as a scholarly resource for studying: inches), it was a common size for family
The emergence of the "middle class" portrait, as photography made capturing one's likeness more accessible than painted commissions. It serves as a scholarly resource for studying:
You can view the full record and high-resolution details of this artwork through The Met's Open Access Collection.
The image is a prime example of mid-19th-century portraiture. During this era, daguerreotypes were the first commercially successful photographic process. Because the images were monochromatic and often appeared somewhat "ghostly" due to long exposure times, artists frequently applied delicate hand-tinting to the cheeks, clothing, and jewelry of the subjects to provide a more lifelike and "healthy" appearance. Visual Analysis