Untitled (Portrait of David and Christianna Palmer with daughters Sophia Magdalena, Christianna, and Regina A. Frederick) 1847

This portrait of David and Christianna Palmer with their daughters was made by William Langenheim, using the daguerreotype process. This early photographic method involved coating a silvered copper plate with light-sensitive chemicals. After a long exposure in the camera, the image was developed using mercury vapor, fixed, and then sealed under glass to protect it from scratches and tarnishing. The resulting image is incredibly detailed, capturing not only the likenesses of the sitters but also the textures of their clothing. The daguerreotype was revolutionary for its time, allowing for relatively affordable portraiture, bringing it within reach of the middle class. Consider the labor involved: from mining the silver and copper, to crafting the chemicals, to the photographer’s skill in capturing and developing the image. The daguerreotype embodies the intersection of science, art, and commerce in the 19th century. It transformed image-making from a craft into a form of mass production, capturing the social fabric of the time, one family portrait at a time.