Untitled (Portrait of the Smith Family, New York) 1845

This is an untitled portrait of the Smith Family from New York, made with the daguerreotype process. The daguerreotype, an early form of photography, emerged during a period of rapid social and technological change. The family portrait, then as now, was a way of solidifying social bonds and presenting a carefully constructed image of oneself to the world. Looking at this image today, what strikes me most is the degree of formality in their attire. The clothing and setting speak to a certain level of economic comfort, and the family's decision to commission this portrait suggests an awareness of their place within a particular social stratum. The artist has captured not just their likenesses, but also something of their aspirations, their sense of self, and the era that shaped them. The photograph can be read as an index of class, gender roles, and familial bonds. What stories do you imagine for this family?