A carefully posed quarter plate daguerreotype of a solemn young boy, attributed to Williamson of Brooklyn. The child stands upright beside a studio table, his hand resting against it in the classic stabilizing pose used by 1850s photographers to reduce movement during the exposure. His expression is serious and direct, facing the camera with the poised self-awareness often seen in mid-19th-century child portraiture.

His attire is elaborate and striking, featuring a short dark cape or jacket over a white shirt with a bold, oversized collar. The blouse is paired with voluminous trousers and light-colored gaiters or socks tucked into dark shoes, making a statement of both fashion and family status. The image is crisply detailed, capturing textures from the smooth cloth to the richly patterned studio floor beneath him. The backdrop is plain, drawing focus to the child and the small selection of studio furniture that completes the scene.

The case is stamped with the name “Williamson 262 BROOKLYN,” confirming its origin with one of the better-known Brooklyn daguerreians working in the 1850s. The photographer’s touch is apparent in the confident composition and technical strength of the image.