Elizabeth Michael Howell 1855 - 1859

Addis's Lancaster Gallery created this daguerreotype of Elizabeth Michael Howell in the United States, sometime in the mid-19th century. This early form of photography offered a new way for families to record their likenesses, a practice previously limited to the wealthy who could afford painted portraits. Here, Elizabeth is dressed in a plaid dress and hat, leaning against a small table, with what appears to be a guitar. The plaid perhaps indicates a specific family tartan. Musical instruments and printed material were common props, suggesting education and refined taste. But, of course, these are carefully chosen symbols of a new and rising middle class. To understand this image more fully, we can consult genealogical records, historical fashion plates, and business records of photographic studios to develop a richer understanding of its cultural context. The meaning of art is always evolving and open to reinterpretation as new information comes to light.