Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre
Daguerre's supposed reluctance to be photographed perhaps explains the relatively small number of daguerreotypes that depict him. Previously attributed to both Pierre Ambroise Richebourg and, as a self-portrait, to Daguerre himself, insufficient evidence exists to support either claim. In any case, this image, despite damage to the plate, remains one of the most engaging portraits of the inventor of photography. The pose, in which he rests one arm on a table, is standard, but the expression and regard remain slightly unfixed as Daguerre, eyes squinted and head cocked, looks directly at the camera.
Artwork Details
- Title: Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre
- Artist: Unknown (French)
- Person in Photograph: Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre (French, 1781–1851)
- Date: ca. 1844
- Medium: Daguerreotype
- Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 cm (3 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.)
- Classification: Photographs
- Credit Line: Gilman Collection, Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation, 2005
- Object Number: 2005.100.611
- Curatorial Department: Photographs
More Artwork
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.