Charming and well-preserved quarter plate ambrotype of a young family, featuring a mother in a white bonnet cradling an infant while a toddler sits upright at her side. The sitter’s crisp expressions are heightened by delicate hand-coloring—the baby’s white dress and bonnet are brightened with pigment, while the child’s dress and the mother’s lips show careful tinting.

The composition is unusually dynamic, with the baby’s expression drowsy and serene while the older child gazes forward with slightly furrowed intensity. The patterned coverlet beneath them and the mother’s dark dress create a strong contrast against the neutral studio backdrop. Bright red velvet pad embossed with a floral motif inside the case adds to the visual appeal.

A compelling early image of domestic life, beautifully tinted and emotionally resonant.