Portrait of a Woman and Baby c. 1850s

"Portrait of a Woman and Baby" is a daguerreotype by Charles H. Williamson, a prominent American photographer. Dating back to the 1850s, the image captures a tender moment between a mother and her infant child. The woman, dressed in a dark frock, cradles the baby, who is adorned in a white dress and a lace bonnet, showcasing the fashionable attire of the era. The use of an oval frame adds to the intimacy of the scene. Daguerreotypes were an early photographic process known for their detailed, realistic, and timeless quality, making this artwork a valuable historical record of family life in 19th-century America.