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Faces from the Past: Looking at Four 1840s Daguerreotype Portraits
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Antique Photographs History of Photography Photography

Faces from the Past: Looking at Four 1840s Daguerreotype Portraits

Keith Dotson
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For your examination, four high-resolution images of 170+-year-old photographs

Here we can look into the eyes of four strangers from long ago.

The Daguerreotype process was the world’s first commercially viable photographic process. It was popular in the 1840s and 1850s but had been mostly replaced by newer and easier processes by 1860. The Daguerreotype process had its drawbacks. Daguerreotypes were difficult and toxic to produce, and they were printed onto silver plates polished to such a high mirror finish that they could only be seen at certain angles. But in spite of those limitations, many people consider Daguerreotypes to be among the most beautiful photographs ever made. They offer incredible resolution and stunning tonal rendition.

I have no information about the men in the portraits, or about the photographers who made the images. I don’t even know where the photographs were made.

Based on their clothing styles and haircuts, as well as the details of picture framing, I’ve determined that all four portraits were probably made in the 1840s.

All of these four portraits were enhanced by a hand-applied tint of pink on their cheeks.

Daguerreotype portrait of a young man, circa the 1840s. Photographer, location, and subject are all unknown.
Daguerreotype portrait of a young man, circa the 1840s. Photographer, location, and subject are all unknown.
Daguerreotype portrait of a man in a silky vest, circa the 1840s. Photographer, location, and subject are all unknown.
Daguerreotype portrait of a man in a silky vest, circa the 1840s. Photographer, location, and subject are all unknown.
Daguerreotype portrait of a man with what seems to me to be a troubled look in his eyes, circa the 1840s. Photographer, location, and subject are all unknown.
Daguerreotype portrait of a man with what seems to me to be a troubled look in his eyes, circa the 1840s. Photographer, location, and subject are all unknown.
Daguerreotype portrait of a man with a beard and wearing his overcoat, circa the 1840s. Photographer, location, and subject are all unknown.
Daguerreotype portrait of a man with a beard and wearing his overcoat, circa the 1840s. Photographer, location, and subject are all unknown.
Mirror finish: This photograph shows the mirror effect that helps us identify all Daguerreotypes. While beautiful, Daguerreotypes could only be viewed at certain angles, while at other angles they virtually disappear.
Mirror finish: This photograph shows the mirror effect that helps us identify all Daguerreotypes. While beautiful, Daguerreotypes could only be viewed at certain angles, while at other angles they virtually disappear.

Thanks for reading.

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~ Keith

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