Metal Frame Daguerreotype (Brass) c. 1941

Frank M. Keane created this metal frame daguerreotype, likely in the early 20th century, a period marked by rapid technological and social change. The daguerreotype, an early photographic process, was initially celebrated for its capacity to capture lifelike images, but it also carried the weight of representation and identity. Whose portrait would have been framed by this elaborate brass? Keane's choice of material and ornate design speaks to the aspirations and values of the sitter and the society they inhabited. The frame doesn't just border the image; it actively participates in constructing its meaning. Consider the emotional investment in portraiture and the ways in which these images were used to assert status, preserve memory, and negotiate social relationships. This photograph frame serves as both a container for an image and a reflection of the cultural values of the era.