[Mrs. Thomas Ustick Walter and Her Deceased Child] 1844 - 1848

Created by W. & F. Langenheim between 1844 and 1848, *[Mrs. Thomas Ustick Walter and Her Deceased Child]* is a daguerreotype portrait of a woman cradling a deceased infant, a common practice in the 19th century. The melancholic image is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life. This intimate photographic portrait, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, captures a moment of grief and remembrance. The delicate detail of the infant's blanket and the woman's somber expression highlight the enduring power of daguerreotype as a medium for capturing human emotion.