[Gentleman] 1838 - 1842

This ninth-plate daguerreotype of a gentleman was created by Henry Fitz Jr. Note the sitter’s dark jacket and the stark contrast between the background, his coat, and face. From the somber quality of the image, we can glean the importance of portraiture in the 19th century. Compare this image with ancient Roman portrait busts in which a clear likeness was considered a connection between the earthly and spiritual realms. The concept of capturing someone's image can also be linked to the ancient Egyptian practice of mummification, which sought to preserve the body for the afterlife. These cultural parallels echo throughout time, embodying both the desire to immortalize an individual, but also a deep-seated fear of mortality and the ravages of time. Despite the changes in media and style, the human impulse remains, constantly resurfacing in our collective consciousness.