Getty Museum

[Family portrait]

Date

1850–1855

Medium

Daguerreotype

Culture

American

Department

Photographs

Institution

Getty Museum

In this family portrait, the father and patriarchal order are the focal point. The father sits at the center, flanked by his two standing sons. His daughter and wife sit at either end, their poses symmetrically echoing one another. The young son's hand resting on his father's shoulder and the father's arm reaching toward his wife are the only interactions evident between the family members, softening this otherwise very formal arrangement. Perhaps out of modesty or simple inability to keep her gaze focused for the lengthy exposure, the wife is the only family member who does not look directly at the camera.

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