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The Daguerreotypist
Writing for the popular magazine Godey's Lady's Book in the spring of 1849, novelist and short-story writer Timothy S. Arthur described the enormous popularity of daguerreian portraiture in America. "In our great cities," he observed, "a Daguerreotypist is to be found in almost every square; and there is scarcely a county in any state that has not one or more of these industrious individuals busy at work."
Created to illustrate the Godey's article, this wood engraving depicts a scene in Marcus Aurelius Root's daguerreian gallery in Philadelphia. As Root readies the camera, his assistant -- most likely his brother, Samuel -- adjusts the headrest to stabilize the apprehensive sitter during the several seconds required to capture his likeness.
Unidentified artist, 1849 |