Portret van Jackson Kemper before 1861

Curator: Here we have what's known as a gelatin silver print mounted on paper; it's a portrait of Jackson Kemper. J. Gurney & Son made it probably some time before 1861. Editor: Well, right away, he seems like someone who wouldn't crack a joke if his life depended on it. Serious, proper, with maybe just a glimmer of warmth hiding in his eyes? Curator: He certainly carries an air of authority. Now, what's fascinating is this oval portrait enclosed within the page. Note the metallic clasps, decorative edging, the crisp, elegant typeface… Editor: It’s almost like an ornate reliquary for an important man. I’m guessing from the text below, he was someone pretty important? Curator: Indeed. Jackson Kemper, the first Missionary Bishop of the Northwest, played a pivotal role in establishing the Episcopal Church in the American West. This book format adds an interesting layer; It could be a memorial album or perhaps a book meant for private devotion. The portrait, framed, almost suggests a saint's icon. Editor: A saint of the West, maybe! I can picture pioneers clutching this little book for solace on the long journey. It makes me think of those old family Bibles, worn soft with use and filled with pressed flowers. This portrait is sepulchral, like the photo is something alive, not just a thing. Curator: I find it evocative, the book as a vessel carrying both an image and Kemper's enduring influence across time and landscape. The symbolism speaks volumes about memory, faith, and the shaping of the American frontier. Editor: Yes, it is more than just a photo; it is relic of faith itself, you might say. A small portal, if you really consider the context. Curator: It certainly adds an element of historical intimacy to our understanding. Editor: You've given me something to ponder beyond just the image today! Thanks.