Jacob Abbott 1843 - 1847

This calotype portrait, taken by the Scottish photographers Hill and Adamson, captures Jacob Abbott, a prominent author and educator, in 1843-1847. The image, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a fine example of the early development of photography, showcasing the crisp detail and subtle tonal range of the calotype process. The sitter's composed expression and formal attire, typical of Victorian portraiture, convey the era's focus on respectability and social standing.