Samuel F. B. Morse (1791-1872) 1869 - 1872

This is a stereograph of Samuel F. B. Morse, taken by Jeremiah Gurney. Morse, the inventor of the telegraph, is adorned with several medals and decorations. These symbols of recognition serve not only as personal accolades but also as visual markers of status and achievement. Consider the evolution of such symbols. From ancient Roman triumphs where laurel wreaths signified victory to the Renaissance portraits where aristocratic families displayed their coats of arms, the need to visually communicate status and accomplishment remains constant. The medals are also reminiscent of religious iconography, particularly the halos seen in Byzantine art. In both cases, the symbols elevate the individual, imbuing them with an aura of importance. This visual language speaks to our collective desire to commemorate achievement, suggesting that humans have a deep psychological need to create and interpret symbols that signify recognition. Just like the figures of saints in religious art, Morse is transformed into an immortal representation of ingenuity. This need persists, recurring through history in varied forms.