Frederick Langenheim
In 1841-42, William and Frederick Langenheim opened a daguerreotype studio in Philadelphia. Known for their technical innovations the former journalists were not the city's first but were certainly its most celebrated photographers. The brothers pioneered a technique of hand-coloring daguerreotypes (1846), purchased Henry Talbot's United States patent for paper photography (1849), invented a system of making negatives and positives on glass (1848-50), and introduced stereoscopic photography to the American public (1850).
This mammoth plate daguerreotype is one of the very few to have survived. It served perhaps to advertise or promote the firm, a convincing example of the Langenheims' professional mastery. The stylistic simplicity--the use of a black backdrop and the absence of accessories--focuses the viewer's attention on the sitter's somber yet amiable expression, and the slight turning away of the sitter's face from his own camera reveals a shyness that belies the self-admiration often implicit in self-portraiture.
This mammoth plate daguerreotype is one of the very few to have survived. It served perhaps to advertise or promote the firm, a convincing example of the Langenheims' professional mastery. The stylistic simplicity--the use of a black backdrop and the absence of accessories--focuses the viewer's attention on the sitter's somber yet amiable expression, and the slight turning away of the sitter's face from his own camera reveals a shyness that belies the self-admiration often implicit in self-portraiture.
Artwork Details
- Title: Frederick Langenheim
- Photography Studio: W. & F. Langenheim (American, active 1843–1874)
- Artist: William Langenheim (American (born Germany), Schöningen 1807–1874)
- Artist: Frederick Langenheim (American (born Germany), Schöningen 1809–1879)
- Date: ca. 1848–50
- Medium: Daguerreotype
- Dimensions: Image: 9 5/9 x 7 5/8; Frame: 18 x 15 x 1 3/8
- Classification: Photographs
- Credit Line: Gilman Collection, Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation, 2005
- Object Number: 2005.100.80
- Curatorial Department: Photographs
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
W. & F. Langenheim
William Langenheim
1850s
W. & F. Langenheim
William Langenheim
ca. 1849–50
W. & F. Langenheim
William Langenheim
ca. 1842
W. & F. Langenheim
William Langenheim
ca. 1844–46
W. & F. Langenheim
William Langenheim
ca. 1848–50
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.