Portrait of a lady

Whipple, John Adams, 1822-1891 · 1850–1855

Full-length portrait of an unidentified woman sitting on a floral-patterned sofa. The woman is elegantly attired in a dark crinoline dress with a lace collar and unusually full three-quarters length sleeves. The woman looks directly at the viewer with a slight smile and one hand held to her cheek. Daguerreotype is in a plain double elliptical mat surrounded by an ornate protector. The daguerreotype case is made of wood and covered with reddish-brown leather. A floral design surrounded by a wavy border is embossed on the front and back of case. The design has been identified as "A Spray of Roses" and dates from ca. 1851 (Rinhart, American miniature case art, plate 131). The case has two hook and eye clasps on the right side and the front and back have been separated. In the interior of the case, facing the daguerreotype, is a red velvet pad with an embossed scroll and floral design. Running along the inside edge of the case is a border of leaves and berries stamped in gold. Manufacturer's hallmark on verso of daguerreotype plate: Star DoubleÌ JP 40. (Rineart 29). This was an imported French daguerreotype plate widely used in the 1850s. The back of the plate has been resilvered, probably by Whipple. Mat stamped lower left: Whipple's. Title devised by curator. Exhibited: The Daguerreotype in Boston: Process, Practitioners, and Patrons (#38). Boston Athenaeum, September-November 1994. Purchased April 2001. #2001.20.