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 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 5423290_050.jpg
The intricate lace, fabric textures, and styling of children's clothing in the 1850s. inches), it was a common size for family
The chemical transition of silver-plated copper into a mirror-like image. Because the images were monochromatic and often appeared
The emergence of the "middle class" portrait, as photography made capturing one's likeness more accessible than painted commissions.
The portrait features a young girl seated in a formal, static pose characteristic of the technical limitations of the time, which required subjects to remain perfectly still.
At The Met, this specific file number is associated with the museum’s digital preservation efforts. It serves as a scholarly resource for studying: