A striking sixth plate tintype portrait of a confident and well-dressed African American man seated in a studio setting. He wears a dark three-button jacket over a crisp light-toned shirt with a high collar and turned-down points, looking directly at the camera with a quiet assertiveness. His posture, with one arm resting on a fringed studio chair, suggests a composed self-possession, and his hair is neatly styled in a rounded natural form. The backdrop is plain, drawing full attention to the sitter’s gaze and dignified presence.

The image is housed behind a pressed brass mat with an elaborate floral design, framed by a typical oval opening that tightly centers the subject. Tintypes of African American sitters from the mid-19th century, particularly in such commanding and direct presentations, are increasingly rare and important visual documents. The clarity and presence conveyed in this image affirm the sitter’s individuality and challenge the era’s prevailing visual narratives. A powerful and evocative portrait reflecting a pivotal chapter in American photographic and social history.