Untitled (Portrait of a Standing Man with a Sextant) 1865

Curator:Editor: Here we have a daguerreotype, that photographic marvel, titled "Untitled (Portrait of a Standing Man with a Sextant)," circa 1865. It resides here at the Art Institute of Chicago, snapped by an anonymous soul. I'm immediately drawn to the sitter's piercing gaze, it's almost… confrontational? What catches your eye? Curator: Oh, absolutely! The intensity of early photography! Think about how long he would have had to stand still to allow for such a photograph, not to mention what such a portrait sitting must have cost. His face tells a story, doesn't it? I wonder about the sextant, though. That seems like such an overt indication of intellect and mastery of the world, yet, he seems to be holding the item incorrectly. The anonymous nature of the artist allows us a little freedom, doesn't it? To weave a story? Do you think he really knows how to use that tool? Editor: I didn't notice the angle! Maybe he's trying to convey… ambition more than current skill? Given the timing, perhaps he's trying to convey, you know, "American Ingenuity Will Win Out!" How did this type of photography fit into American culture at this point? Curator: Spot on. Yes, this technology allowed for portraits to come into the hands of ordinary citizens and offered a seemingly 'objective' glimpse of someone to loved ones or for posterity. Here, our handsome man shows us progress! The slightly stern expression adds to that narrative, a very particular projection of the mid-19th century. But the softness of the medium balances his ambition with, shall we say, a little longing? Don’t you think? Editor: That's a beautiful interpretation. I like how you weave together the sternness with the softer potential longings. The way those two characteristics interact is unexpected and revealing. Thank you! Curator: Anytime! Perhaps you can show me the world through *your* eyes someday, with my tools as the guide.