Unusual sixth plate daguerreotype of a small child seated nearly nude, wearing only a delicate skirt or diaper wrap and holding a bow and arrow. Posed atop a richly patterned studio prop, likely a covered table, the child gazes forward with a serene expression, their posture composed and balanced. The image was clearly constructed to evoke a symbolic or mythological reference, possibly Cupid or an allegorical figure, a popular theme in mid-19th century sentimental portraiture.

The plate exhibits a series of deliberate scratches across the face of the child, obscuring the identity and rendering the image into a haunting, altered artifact. Facial effacement in daguerreotypes, while uncommon, appears in select mourning or emotionally fraught contexts, often indicating grief, rejection, or an effort to distance oneself from the memory of the sitter. Whether made shortly after death, or much later as an emotional response, the damage suggests a narrative that extends far beyond the original photographic moment.

Studio details such as the paisley textile and careful lighting underscore the professional nature of the setting, and the sharp rendering of the child’s form speaks to the technical quality of the original plate. The addition of the bow and arrow adds a symbolic weight to the portrait, merging innocence with classical allusion. The combination of intention and later alteration makes this an especially evocative example of daguerreian-era emotional complexity, both artistic and personal.