Quarter Plate

BROTHERLY TRIO. What is the most compelling aspect of this perfect resealed quarter plate daguerreotype? Is it the strength of the composition or the attractiveness of the three brothers? Maybe the sheer refinement of the original charcoal drawing, expertly copied on the highly silvered surface is the most important point. Every time I open the near mint, whole leather case that has a large urn of flowers surrounded by geometrics and curlicues, I react differently. Once I had removed the filthy glass, I scanned the naked plate hoping to spot the artist’s signature, but to no avail. So, both the delineator and the daguerreotypist remain anonymous, but they certainly teamed up to create an artistic masterwork. The shallow rim of patina adds a hint of color on the otherwise bright gray palette. The next owner will proudly display these three siblings.