Portrait of a Woman and Baby c. 1850s

Charles H. Williamson made this portrait of a woman and baby using the daguerreotype process. This photographic technique involves creating a highly detailed image on a silvered copper plate. The reflective, almost mirror-like surface is quite unique. Note how the quality of the image depends so much on light and viewing angle. This wasn't just a matter of pointing and shooting; it required careful surface preparation, chemical treatments, and precise timing. Every step demanded skill and care, making each daguerreotype a unique object. Photography in this era was a fairly new medium, but was already changing portraiture. The rise of photography democratized image-making, as it offered a relatively affordable way for people to have their likeness captured. The daguerreotype was also a valuable commodity, and its encasement suggests its status as a precious, personal keepsake, and a beautiful synthesis of art, craft, and chemistry.