Hauntingly intimate and deeply human, this original quarter plate daguerreotype captures a young mother holding the lifeless body of her infant child. The emotional gravity of the image is unmistakable—her expression solemn yet composed, while the baby rests, tightly swaddled in a white gown and blanket. Her hand, adorned with a finely detailed cuff, supports the child's body tenderly and deliberately, underscoring the maternal bond even in death.

The composition is masterfully executed, with the light softly illuminating both faces and drawing attention to the emotional narrative without theatricality. The clarity and contrast remain exceptionally strong, with minute details visible in both the woman's hair and fabric textures. Housed in its original full leather push-button case featuring a deeply embossed floral design, the plate is framed with a brass mat and a slightly speckled preserver, all showing signs of age consistent with its mid-19th century origins.

Post-mortem daguerreotypes of this quality and scale are uncommon, especially when paired with such an expressive maternal presence. This photograph stands as a poignant reminder of 19th-century mourning customs and the fragile lines between life and death in early photography.