Portrait of a Clown c. 1863

Editor: We're looking at "Portrait of a Clown," a daguerreotype from around 1863 by the Fisher Brothers. There’s a striking stillness in his eyes, despite the costume. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I see this portrait as a potent commentary on the construction of identity and the societal pressures placed upon performers, especially during the mid-19th century. Notice the deliberate staging, the studio backdrop, the clown's carefully applied makeup - these all speak to the performance of self. Think about how class and race might have shaped expectations of entertainers during that period, demanding certain types of comedic relief. How does this context complicate our understanding of humour? Editor: I hadn't considered the racial aspect so explicitly. It feels heavier now. The forced smile, perhaps, takes on a different meaning. Curator: Precisely. Consider the history of minstrelsy and the appropriation of Black culture in entertainment. While this portrait might not directly represent that, it resides within a cultural landscape deeply impacted by these dynamics. How might this intersect with notions of masculinity, too? Is there vulnerability here, or simply an embrace of the comedic role? Editor: That's a lot to consider. I am starting to think about how different identity markers can combine in complicated ways within one image. Thank you for highlighting the layers in this image. Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about art intersectionally, we reveal a much more complex story, and push for a new appreciation.