[Marshall C. Claxton] 1860s

This carte de visite, a popular photographic format of the 19th century, features a portrait of Marshall C. Claxton taken by the renowned photographic duo John and Charles Watkins in the 1860s. The image showcases Claxton in a formal pose, his gaze directed slightly to the right, with a neatly trimmed beard and a bow tie. The photograph's simple composition and sharp detail are characteristic of the Watkins brothers' style, known for their contributions to the development of portrait photography. The photograph, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, provides a glimpse into the life of a prominent individual during a pivotal period in American history.