Lewis Powell [alias Lewis Payne]

Art Historical Context

This albumen print, created on April 27, 1865, captures Lewis Powell—also known by the alias Lewis Payne—shortly after his arrest as a conspirator in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The image, measuring roughly 8 by 7 inches, belongs to the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection of early photography and serves as a stark visual record from one of the most turbulent periods in American history. Albumen prints like this one were the dominant photographic medium of the mid-nineteenth century. They were prized for their fine detail and tonal range, achieved by suspending silver sal...

About the Artist

Unknown

The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...