Family Portrait

Dateca. 1855

MediumDaguerreotypes

DimensionsPlate (each, ninth): 2 1/2 × 2 inches (6.35 × 5.08 cm)
Case (open): 4 3/4 × 8 1/2 × 3/8 inches (12.07 × 21.59 × 0.95 cm)
Case (closed): 4 3/4 × 4 1/4 × 5/8 inches (12.07 × 10.8 × 1.59 cm)

Credit LineGift of Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Object number2005.27.4816.A-E

Signednone

Inscribednone

Markingsnone

On View

On view

Gallery Location

Collections

Photography

Terms

DescriptionFive small daguerreotype portraits presented together in one mat and housed in oversized quarter plate case. Woman at top left, man at top right, baby in the center, young boy in bottom left, and young girl in bottom right. These daguerreotypes are housed in a brass mat (oval openings) inside of a case with an embossed red velvet liner and embosed case with abstract designs.Gallery Label

Gallery Label

While group portrait daguerreotypes were not uncommon in the mid-1800s, sitters typically posed together for one image. This daguerreotype instead features several individual portraits displayed within one frame and united by a single metallic mat.

The oval shapes surrounding each sitter resemble painted portrait miniatures, which were precursors to daguerreotype portraits. The public quickly began to favor photographs over portrait miniatures due to their lower price point and increased ability to capture the physical and emotional likeness of the subject.

Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.