Existing comment:
The Daguerreotypist:
In an article for Godey's Lady's Book published in the spring of 1849, novelist and short-story writer Timothy S. Arthur described the enormous popularity of daguerreian portraiture in America by noting, "In our great cities, 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 A. 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 needed to capture his daguerreotype likeness.
Unidentified Artist, 1849 |