D00-50. LIKE A PAINTING. The expert operator who ushered these sisters into his studio had become a master at controlling the entire range of tones. His sixth plate, which is resealed, glistens at every angle and the siblings are reflected in the black drop several times. Gold was painted on the older gal's brooch but that embellishment wasn't really necessary. The curious, almost uncomfortable expression the little girl wears contrasts with her sister's stoic appreciation of the event. The classic use of Rembrandt style illumination, especially on the younger child's face, compares favorably to images that were painted on canvas 10 years earlier. By the time this portrait was taken, circa 1850, the daguerreotype reigned supreme! There are wispy wipes at one non-viewing angle and couple mold spiders above the subjects. Teeny mat abrasions are visible in several places. The leather case has come apart along the hinge. $545