Untitled (Eight Atalanta Crewmen)
July 30, 1856
Medium
Daguerreotype
Dimensions
Plate: 10.8 × 14 cm (4 5/16 × 5 9/16 in.); Case: 12.2 × 15.2 × 1.7 cm (4 13/16 × 6 × 11/16 in.)
Classification
daguerreotype
Department
Photography and Media
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
27494
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Because of its crisp, faithful detail and its relatively low price, the daguerreotype—a unique print on a metal plate—was one of the most popular forms of portraiture in the 19th century. Although a single figure was the most common subject, groups might also visit the photographer’s studio to commemorate a special occasion. This daguerreotype seems to celebrate a group of rowers from the well-regarded Atalanta Boat Club of New York; the names of the eight crewmen are inscribed inside the case, ...
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...