1 to 12 of 20
Anonymous - In the Company of Philadelphia Publishers
Anonymous
In the Company of Philadelphia Publishers
$45,000
Anonymous - Two Younger Daughters, Holding Dove and Flowers/Young Mother with Two Daughters
Anonymous
Two Younger Daughters, Holding Dove and Flowers/Young Mother with Two Daughters
$3,750
Sale
$2,625
Meylius - Portrait of a Girl (Caroline)
Meylius
Portrait of a Girl (Caroline)
$1,250
Sale
$875
Conty - French Boy in Military Uniform
Conty
French Boy in Military Uniform
$1,500
Sale
$1,050
Anonymous - Mother and Father with Young Military Cadet
Anonymous
Mother and Father with Young Military Cadet
$750
Sale
$525
Anonymous (French) - Boy in Military Uniform with Mother with Stereo Viewer and Flowers on Table
Anonymous (French)
Boy in Military Uniform with Mother with Stereo Viewer and Flowers on Table
$900
Sale
$630
Anonymous - Mother and Children
Anonymous
Mother and Children
$900
Sale
$630
Anonymous - Three People
Anonymous
Three People
$675
Sale
$473
Anonymous (Belgium) - Belgium Military Officer with Hat and Holding Sword
Anonymous (Belgium)
Belgium Military Officer with Hat and Holding Sword
$450
Sale
$315
Anonymous - Gentleman
Anonymous
Gentleman
$750
Sale
$525
Anonymous  (German or Swiss) - Portrait of a Woman (Caroline Muller Ehrhardt)
Anonymous (German or Swiss)
Portrait of a Woman (Caroline Muller Ehrhardt)
$450
Sale
$315
Anonymous - Mother with Two Children
Anonymous
Mother with Two Children
$650
Sale
$455
By Alex Novak

This is a special selection of portrait daguerreotypes from slightly over $400 to a several hundred thousand dollars. All have a quality that sets them off from the average nice image. Whether it is the pose or light or overall strength of image, these are all winners.

Daguerreotypes were really the first form of photography. Their mirror surface and small size give them a gem-like quality that makes them so eminently collectible.

Almost from the very beginning the human form was incorporated into daguerreotypes--even as early as 1839.

By the summer of 1841 daguerreotypes could be taken in seconds instead of minutes. The business in portrait daguerreotypes was soon booming, partially making the statement that "from this moment on, painting is dead" at least partially true. The invention of the daguerreotype definitely cut dramatically into most portrait painters' business.

Soon the daguerreotype put some of these portrait artists back to work--hand coloring daguerreotypes! Flesh colors, a bit of gold for jewelry, tinting on dresses and table cloths and even very beautiful cloud covered backdrops were all created by these artists' hands, adding even more realism to the daguerreotype.

The group offered for sale here represents a fine selection of this daguerreian portrait art by some of the best artists of their day, including Southworth & Hawes, Robert Vance and Abraham Bogardus. But most are the work of those anonymous craftspeople who captured their subjects with humility and grace.

Silver Messenger: A Special Selection of Portrait Daguerreotypes
About This Exhibit
Image List

Exhibited and Sold By
Contemporary Works / Vintage Works, Ltd.

258 Inverness Circle
Chalfont, Pennsylvania   18914   USA

Contact Alex Novak and Marthe Smith

Email info@vintageworks.net

Phone +1-215-518-6962

Call for an Appointment

 

Share This

Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on linkedinShare on pinterestShare on tumblrShare via email
1 to 12 of 20