Untitled (unidentified sitter) c. 1858

Curator: This is an early photograph by John Adams Whipple, who worked around the middle of the 19th century. The portrait, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents an unidentified sitter. Editor: It strikes me as rather melancholic. The oval format concentrates attention while the sepia tones give it a lovely, old-fashioned air. Curator: Whipple was pivotal in the burgeoning culture of photographic portraiture, which democratized access to image-making in the 19th century. Editor: Notice how the details fade softly at the edges of the oval, focusing our gaze on the sitter's face and the subtle texture of his coat. Curator: The lack of identification begs questions about the subject's social standing, and how photography served various levels of society. Editor: The contrast between light and shadow is handled beautifully, lending depth and a sense of quiet dignity to the subject. A fleeting moment captured for eternity. Curator: Indeed. Considering Whipple's contributions to photographic technology, this image serves as a compelling historical document and artwork.