Untitled (Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy) by John Plumbe Jr.

Untitled (Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy) 1847

photography

portrait

toned paper

16_19th-century

sculpture

sculptural image

photography

unrealistic statue

coloured pencil

framed image

underpainting

men

united-states

watercolour illustration

watercolor

statue

This daguerreotype, created in 1847 by John Plumbe Jr., depicts Gideon Welles, the Secretary of the Navy during the American Civil War. The image captures Welles in a formal portrait, showcasing his serious demeanor and prominent features. The daguerreotype, a groundbreaking photographic process, allowed for highly detailed and realistic imagery, making it popular for capturing likenesses of prominent figures like Welles. This intimate portrait offers a glimpse into the life of a key figure in American history.