Untitled (Two Boys Holding a Deceased Baby)
1850
Medium
Daguerreotype
Dimensions
10.6 × 8 cm (4 3/16 × 3 3/16 in.); Open case: 11.8 × 18.8 × 1 cm (4 11/16 × 7 7/16 × 7/16 in.); Case: 11.8 × 9.4 × 1.7 cm (4 11/16 × 3 3/4 × 11/16 in.); Plate: 10.8 × 8.3 cm (4 1/4 × 3 1/4 in.)
Classification
portrait
Department
Photography and Media
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
250210
Art Historical Context
In the mid-19th century, photography was a groundbreaking new medium, this poignant untitled daguerreotype captured deeply personal moment: two young boys solemnly holding a deceased baby. Created around 1850 by an artist, the image measures a compact 10.6 × 8 cm, housed in a protective case typical of the era. As one of the earliest photographic processes, the daguerreotype produced a, mirror-like positive image on a silver-plated copper plate requiring long exposure times that demanded steady poses—often achieved with hidden supports. This made it ideal for formal portraits, revolutionizing ...
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...