Josiah Brandlee, Boston (1837-1902) 1858

Curator: Here we have John Adams Whipple’s portrait of Josiah Brandlee, Boston, taken sometime in the mid-19th century. Editor: Sepia-toned and serious! It feels like looking into the past through a fogged lens. A sense of formality and something unspoken. Curator: Absolutely. These early photographs were about capturing presence, ensuring remembrance. The oval framing further isolates Brandlee, giving him the air of a cameo. Editor: I notice the handwriting—it’s like a personal inscription that adds a layer of narrative. Curator: Precisely. The notation of his name and "Boston" roots him in time and place. It’s a memento, a tangible connection to a life once lived. Editor: Makes you wonder about his story. It's almost a ghost from a bygone era, isn’t it? Curator: Indeed. Whipple’s portrait becomes a poignant symbol of remembrance—evoking longing for connections to the past.