A young child poses confidently beside a resting cat in this charming sixth plate daguerreotype. Standing next to a draped table, the boy wears a double-breasted jacket with a scalloped collar and checkered trousers, his hair carefully combed into a neat wave. His hand rests naturally on the tablecloth as the family cat, partially curled, sits patiently beside him.

The cat’s inclusion adds a rare note of warmth and domestic intimacy to an image that would otherwise follow conventional child portraiture of the period. Whether intended to signal gentleness, companionship, or simply to anchor the boy in his home environment, the animal becomes an essential part of the composition.

Daguerreotypes featuring pets are scarce, and the relaxed presence of the cat here speaks to the comfort and familiarity between sitter and animal. The direct gaze of the boy and the technical precision of the plate offer a compelling glimpse into 19th-century childhood and the role of animals in family life.