Sixth plate daguerreotype studio portrait depicting a young boy seated beside a large dog, the animal positioned close at his side with its head resting near the boy’s arm. The boy wears a fitted jacket, waistcoat, and necktie, with neatly parted hair, presenting a composed and formal pose typical of mid-19th-century studio portraiture. The dog’s calm posture and proximity suggest familiarity, and the inclusion of the animal appears intentional rather than incidental. The image is housed in a period hinged case with a gilt brass mat and simple studio backdrop. No photographer’s imprint is visible.

Portraits incorporating domestic animals are less common in daguerreian practice and often reflect personal attachment or family pride rather than symbolism. The steady pose of both sitter and dog indicates careful studio arrangement, consistent with exposure requirements of the daguerreotype process during the 1840s to early 1850s.

The daguerreotype is presented in its original case with an embossed leather exterior and a velvet-lined interior pad. The mat features a shaped opening with decorative tooling. No inscriptions, labels, or handwritten identifications are visible.