Contemplative Glow

Sixth Plate Daguerreotype | In daguerreotypes, studio lighting is one of the most potent variables in determining emotional atmosphere. In this unusual example, soft frontal lighting creates a warm, glowing effect. Her halo of shadow against the very close backdrop accentuates the feeling — which we see in the woman's tender eyes — of her occupying a quiet world of secret, melancholy thoughts. The overall psychological effect is aided by pale pink tinting to her cheeks and to the carnations in the vase beside her, and also abetted by the gold toning that is part of the development process. Has the small volume she holds influenced her mood — romantic era poetry perhaps — or is it a private diary in which she confides her feelings ? This is a portrait that invites many questions, and hence it has a special appeal to me. Inside the case, she is identified as “Mother of Lidie Pierson, who married Dr. Buchanan of S. Jersey ca. 1880.”

Condition: The scan tends to exaggerate a small number of star-like spots — such as the one on the lady's hair; these are “mold spiders” (which are actually silicate deposits resulting from the old unstable glass, now replaced with safe modern glass); archival modern seals. In a full case with repaired spine. original spine intact New archival seals by us.

Key points: Glowing atmosphere. Private, melancholy mood. Sixth Plate American Daguerreotype (measuring 3 1/4 inches x 2 3/4 inches; 8.2 cm x 7.0 cm). Circa 1852. Image #D-22; price on request.