[Stereographic View of Two Nude Women]
1840s
Medium
Daguerreotype
Dimensions
5.6 x 6.5 cm (2 3/16 x 2 9/16 in.) each
Classification
Photographs
Department
Photographs
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of John C. Waddell, 1998
Accession Number
1998.90
Tags
Art Historical Context
This striking stereographic daguerreotype from the 1840s captures two women in a private, unadorned pose, offering a rare early glimpse into the human form through the lens of photography. Created using the newly invented daguerreotype process—one of the first practical methods for producing detailed photographic images—the work consists of two nearly identical small plates designed to be viewed together in a stereoscope, producing a remarkable three-dimensional effect that brings the figures to life with lifelike depth and intimacy. Dating to the medium’s earliest years, this piece reflects ...
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...