Cleveland Museum of Art

Child with Drum

Date

1850s

Medium

daguerreotype, quarter-plate

Culture

America

Department

Photography

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

For this finely toned daguerreotype, an unknown photographer skillfully manipulated a bulky camera into a low vantagepoint, ensured even lighting, and positioned the quaintly dressed subject against a neutral background to create a charming portrait. The child was carefully coached to stare directly into the lens and to hold the toy drum and drumsticks convincingly. Perhaps the drum is meant to recall earlier times in American history and to symbolize its fight for independence.

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