Clement Studebaker (U.S. delegate) 1889 - 1890

Curator: This is a photograph of Clement Studebaker, a U.S. delegate, taken by Mathew Brady sometime in the late 19th century. It’s a salt print, mounted on card. Editor: He looks…sturdy. Like a benevolent bear, maybe? So dignified, yet that full beard gives him such a down-to-earth quality. Curator: Brady was known for photographing prominent figures, especially during and after the Civil War. He understood how to project power and status. This portrait is a great example. Editor: It really is! The way he holds that hat so gently, and the subtle details of his suit, that glint of watch chain. The photo feels staged, but somehow still very intimate. Curator: Photography in this period was still a very deliberate process. Posing was key, and the sitter's expression was carefully considered for the desired effect. Editor: It makes you wonder what he was really like, beyond this carefully constructed image. Did he laugh easily, or was he as serious as he appears here? Curator: Indeed. And how this carefully crafted image played into his public persona. Editor: Well, it certainly leaves an impression. Makes you want to learn more about the man behind the beard.