Ralph Waldo Emerson 1854 - 1858

This portrait of Ralph Waldo Emerson, a prominent American essayist, poet, and philosopher, was taken by Mathew B. Brady in 1854-1858. Brady was a renowned American photographer known for his portraits of prominent figures and his documentation of the Civil War. The portrait showcases Emerson in a formal pose, his gaze directed slightly to the right, emphasizing his intellectual presence. The photograph is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York City. This work is an example of early photographic portraiture and serves as a valuable historical document of an important figure in American literature and thought.