[Man Wearing Coat and Gloves, Holding Hat, Seated in Front of Painted Outdoor Backdrop] 1840s

This is a cased daguerreotype of an unknown man made by Samuel Broadbent Jr. Sometime in the mid-19th century, daguerreotypes like this one were innovative in their ability to capture an individual’s likeness. Photography in this era was closely linked to notions of identity, social status, and self-representation. The sitter’s formal attire and composed posture suggest an effort to convey respectability and success. Yet, his identity is absent, leaving us to consider how our understanding of identity is shaped by both what is revealed and what remains hidden. It is important to remember that while photography democratized portraiture, access to it was still determined by class and race. As we look at the photograph, we might reflect on the stories of those whose images were less likely to be recorded. Consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture, and how it reflects and reinforces existing social hierarchies. This image then, prompts us to consider the complex relationship between identity, representation, and the socio-political context in which images are produced and consumed.