Portrait of a Man c. 1860

This anonymous 19th-century daguerreotype, "Portrait of a Man," captures a man in a seated pose, holding a straw hat, with a background that suggests an outdoor setting. The small size and ornate gold frame are typical of this popular photographic format, which emerged in the mid-19th century. Daguerreotypes were the first commercially successful photographic process, offering a unique and detailed representation of individuals during this time. The image's clear detail and the subject's composure lend a sense of formality and significance to the portrait.