William Langenheim
ca. 1849–51
Medium
Salted Paper Print From Paper Negative with Applied Color
Dimensions
Image: 16.5 x 12.1 cm (6 1/2 x 4 3/4 in.) Case: 1.3 x 19.4 x 14.4 cm (1/2 x 7 5/8 x 5 11/16 in.)
Classification
Photographs
Department
Photographs
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gilman Collection, Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation, 2005
Accession Number
2005.100.227
Tags
Art Historical Context
This salted paper print, titled *William Langenheim* created around 1849–51 by the pioneering Philadelphia photographers W. & F. Langenheim (brothers William and Frederick), captures a intimate portrait of William himself. Measuring a modest 16.5 x 12.1 cm, it was housed in a protective case typical of early daguerreotype-era keepsakes, blending photography's novelty with Victorian sentimentality. The subtle applied color—hand-painted highlights on cheeks and lips—lends a painterly warmth, bridging the mechanical precision of the camera with artisanal craft. As one of the earliest positive ph...
About the Artist
W. & F. Langenheim|William Langenheim (American|American, born Germany) · 1843 |1807 –1874 |1874
American, active 1843–1874|American (born Germany), Schöningen 1807–1874