Striking Civil War-era carte de visite portrait of a Union naval officer, taken at Washburn’s Gallery, 113 Canal St., New Orleans. The officer is depicted in full uniform with shoulder straps and a double-breasted frock coat, his left hand resting on a newel post and his right hand at his hip in a proud, confident pose. His facial hair—closely cropped beard with clean-shaven chin—adds to the sharpness of his appearance.

The image is crisp with strong contrast and excellent clarity. The officer's shoulder straps are visible, but the insignia is too indistinct to confirm rank. This is a rare Southern studio view of a Union officer taken during or shortly after the occupation of New Orleans. The backmark of Washburn's Gallery is clean and boldly printed. A sharp and unusually formal naval portrait from a scarce New Orleans photographer.