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| D11-1. ELEVATED! There are so many legs and curved pieces of wood that it might take me a minute to figure out this remarkable sixth size portrait that has a new seal and explain it to you. The adorable lad sat on a small chair that had been placed on a tabletop. That would account for four supports. Looking through the cross members of that piece of furniture reveals two more posts at angles. The third one is probably there also but it kind of melded together. Those would be the bases of a head clamp that the daguerreian placed on the back of the kid's head. The metal holder was hidden by his coiled curls. Why might you ask did the operator use these theatrics, even placing a second chair so the boy could clutch the top during the brief exposure? Having watched Casey attempt to daguerreotype a child and objects close to the ground tells the tales. It is easier to make adjustments with the camera when it is at a higher position, say chest high. Sure, the contrast is great and the reflected depth superlative but that isn't what impressed me the most. After developing the plate, the man chemically vignetted the bottom of the image that would suggest the tiny subject was floating in the clouds. I can't remember ever owning another full-length portrait finished in this manner. Any specks seen in the scan are nearly invisible when the fine leather push button case with external original brass hinges is opened and he is admired. $655 |
