Provenance

Mr. William L. Schaeffer

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See all 25 works of art
The image depicts a man seated on an ornate settee. He has a mustache, neat hair, and is wearing a black suit with a white shirt and a dark bow tie. He is holding a document in his right hand. Beside him is a table with a patterned cloth. The background is plain and the scene is framed in gold, resembling a historical photograph such as a daguerreotype.
Kapp & Gross, Portrait of a Man, c. 1850 - 1855, daguerreotype with applied color, Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund, 2014.25.2

Portrait of a Man

Kapp & Gross · c. 1850 - 1855 · daguerreotype with applied color ·  Accession ID  2014.25.2

The image shows a historical scene of a waterfront with a steamboat as the focal point. Viewed from a low angle, the steamboat, dock area, and people on the deck are prominent. The image has a style consistent with early photography, with soft contrast and a sepia tone. The color palette is limited to shades of brown and beige. Items like barrels and sacks on the dock indicate activity. The steamboat is moored, with its name partially visible, hinting at connections to cities like Louisville and Cincinnati. In the distance, additional structures and masts are visible against a plain sky.
Jay Dearborn Edwards, The Steamer Magnolia at the Port of New Orleans, 1858–1861, salted paper print, W. Bruce and Delaney H. Lundberg Fund, 2022.103.1

The Steamer Magnolia at the Port of New Orleans

Jay Dearborn Edwards · 1858–1861 · salted paper print ·  Accession ID  2022.103.1

The image shows a street with a large, two-story building to the right, featuring arched windows and an entrance with people. A bare tree dominates the left side of the image, with its branches stretching upward. The road runs alongside the building, leading into the distance where smaller buildings line the street. The horizon is obscured by these distant structures, giving a sense of urban continuity. The scene is in sepia tones, with clear, crisp lines and a slightly soft focus, resembling a vintage photograph.
Lewis Emory Walker, Workshops at Washington Arsenal, 1858–1859, salted paper print, Robert B. Menschel and the Vital Projects Fund, 2022.103.3

Workshops at Washington Arsenal

Lewis Emory Walker · 1858–1859 · salted paper print ·  Accession ID  2022.103.3

The image shows an upper-body portrait of a young boy seated in a three-quarter pose, facing slightly to the left. He has a serious expression with dark, neatly combed hair. The boy is wearing a dark-colored jacket with a high collar and a white shirt, with a small patterned bow tie around his neck. His attire is adorned with a United States flag pin and a decorative button on his lapel. The photograph is framed in an ornate gold-colored mat typical of 19th-century photography. The background of the image is a solid dark color.
Charles H. Williamson, Portrait of a Boy, c. 1858, daguerreotype with applied color, Gift of William L. Schaeffer, in Honor of the 25th Anniversary of Photography at the National Gallery of Art, 2015.118.1

Portrait of a Boy

Charles H. Williamson · c. 1858 · daguerreotype with applied color ·  Accession ID  2015.118.1

American 19th Century, Portrait of a Man, c. 1850, daguerreotype, Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund, 2014.25.1

Portrait of a Man

American 19th Century · c. 1850 · daguerreotype ·  Accession ID  2014.25.1

The image shows an industrial oil field or mining site in a forested landscape. Tall trees obscure the horizon, framing the scene. Wooden oil derricks are scattered throughout the site, some closer to us and others in the distance. Small wooden buildings are also present. The sepia-toned image highlights the textures of the structures and natural surroundings. Smoke rises from one of the structures.
W. W. Lytle, Negley Run, near Tidioute (Pennsylvania Oil Regions), 1860s, stereoscopic albumen silver prints, Gift of Funds from Clinton and Jean Wright, 2024.42.5

Negley Run, near Tidioute (Pennsylvania Oil Regions)

W. W. Lytle · 1860s · stereoscopic albumen silver prints ·  Accession ID  2024.42.5

The image portrays a natural landscape with a river flowing over rocks. Dense foliage and a stone wall line the riverbanks. A person sits on a big rock near the water. The photograph uses a long exposure technique, creating a smooth appearance on the flowing water. The color scheme is composed mainly of sepia tones, creating a timeless and serene mood.
Andrew Joseph Russell, Arlington Mills, 1863, albumen silver print, Robert B. Menschel and the Vital Projects Fund, 2022.103.5

Arlington Mills

Andrew Joseph Russell · 1863 · albumen silver print ·  Accession ID  2022.103.5

The image displays a rocky coastal scene. The perspective is low, showcasing the sandy shore and rocky outcrops dominating the view. Large rocks with trees on top stretch into the distance. The rocks have a coarse texture with visible details. The color palette is likely sepia-toned, creating a warm feel. The water around the rocks looks misty, contrasting with the solid rocks. The outlines of land or hills can be seen in the distance, adding depth to the composition.
John Moran, Islands, Limon Bay, 1871, albumen silver print, Robert B. Menschel and the Vital Projects Fund, 2022.103.4

Islands, Limon Bay

John Moran · 1871 · albumen silver print ·  Accession ID  2022.103.4

The image shows an industrial area with wooden barrels scattered around, some stacked and some upright. Wooden buildings and structures extend towards the horizon. In the background, there is a forest. The coloration is monochromatic. The image is in stereo card format.
John S. Moulton, Oil Refinery, Erie, Pennsylvania, 1860s, stereoscopic albumen silver prints, Gift of Funds from Clinton and Jean Wright, 2024.42.4

Oil Refinery, Erie, Pennsylvania

John S. Moulton · 1860s · stereoscopic albumen silver prints ·  Accession ID  2024.42.4

The image shows a townscape with a range of snow-capped mountains in the background. In the foreground, four children are lying on the ground between two bare trees. The town with various buildings, including several church steeples, is seen further away. The mountains dominate the horizon. The image is rendered in sepia tones, with a focus on detailed natural and built elements.
Charles R. Savage, Salt Lake City and Wasatch Mountains, c. 1871, albumen silver print, Gift of Funds from Clinton and Jean Wright, 2024.42.6

Salt Lake City and Wasatch Mountains

Charles R. Savage · c. 1871 · albumen silver print ·  Accession ID  2024.42.6