Daguerreotype portrait depicting an adult man holding a young child in a close, intimate studio pose. The child leans against the man’s shoulder, with the man’s arm supporting the child across the torso, a composition that emphasizes physical closeness and familial connection. The image is presented in a molded gilt mat and housed in a hinged, leather-covered case with a velvet pad. The photographic surface and presentation are consistent with mid-19th-century American daguerreian studio work.

The pose reflects a common but emotionally direct approach used by daguerreians when photographing children with a parent, relying on physical contact to steady the child during exposure while also conveying affection. The man’s attire and the child’s patterned dress align with domestic studio portraits of the 1850s. No photographer’s imprint is visible on the plate or mat.

The daguerreotype is a sixth plate example, set behind a scalloped gilt mat within its original case. The exterior features an embossed floral design, and the interior retains its original velvet lining and brass hardware.