Lion

Anonymous

1/6 plate daguerreotype

USA

c.1855

This is simply a stellar portrait. Few makers had the courage to move so close to their subject and produce such an evocative likeness. The tossled hair (hat head, really), furrowed forehead, and unshaven face of this stern gent makes me think of the fire and brimstone evangelist preachers that travelled from town to town to spread the “word” and convert sinners,heathens and non-believers.

With close inspection, the viewer of this exquisite plate will notice the image is very slightly soft in focus. The cause for this is difficult to ascertain. Working this close to a sitter with primitive lenses presented early dagguereans with inevitable focus problems. Perhaps the softness was planned with the use of a soft focus portrait lens, or maybe the subject moved very slightly during the long exposure. Regardless of the explanation, the image maintains great presence. The warm tones and brilliant surface is exquisite. Peripheral tarnish adds patina without diminishing the image in any way.

$495.00

Steven Evans  Vintage Photography