[Double Plate: Two Men with Sideburns] 1850s

This daguerreotype, made in America by John Adams Whipple, presents two portraits in a hinged case. These images, popular in the mid-19th century, offer a fascinating glimpse into the era's social dynamics and the burgeoning culture of photography. Looking at the visual codes, the men's formal attire speaks volumes about social status and aspirations. The sideburns, a fashionable statement, highlight the era's evolving aesthetics and gender roles. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to the middle class. As we interpret these images, it's important to remember that portraiture studios, like Whipple's, became important social institutions. Family photo albums became records of kinship. Further research into daguerreotype studios and the business of photography in 19th-century America could reveal more about the social significance of such images. Art is always contingent on its historical and social context.