"Two-Headed" Man
Artist
Unknown
Dateca. 1855
MediumDaguerreotype
DimensionsPlate (sixth): 3 1/4 × 2 3/4 inches (8.26 × 6.99 cm)
Case (open): 3 3/4 × 6 3/8 × 3/8 inches (9.53 × 16.19 × 0.95 cm)
Case (closed): 3 3/4 × 3 1/4 × 5/8 inches (9.53 × 8.26 × 1.59 cm)
Case (open): 3 3/4 × 6 3/8 × 3/8 inches (9.53 × 16.19 × 0.95 cm)
Case (closed): 3 3/4 × 3 1/4 × 5/8 inches (9.53 × 8.26 × 1.59 cm)
Credit LineGift of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Object number2005.27.373
Signednone
Inscribednone
Markingsnone
On View
On viewGallery Location
- L10
Collections
DescriptionMultiple exposure image made to resemble a man with two heads. He's dressed in a suit jacket with collared shirt and bow tie. This sixth plate daguerreotype is housed in a decorative brass mat inside of a case with The Morning Glory motif and an embossed red velvet liner.Gallery LabelTo make this supposed two-headed man, the sitter first posed leaning to one side. The photographer exposed part of the daguerreotype’s light-sensitive metallic plate to record the pose, then the sitter leaned in the other direction. The other half of the plate was exposed, and: Ta-da! Behold, the two-headed man!
The plain dark backdrop helps the two images appear united; however, the confusion of neckties and the repeated watch point to the reality of a double exposure, rather than a double head.
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