Sixth Plate

HOLDING THEIR BREATH. The daguerreotypist must have told these brothers to hold their breath for their sixth plate image. Both wear the little frowns common to people in daguerreotypes who are trying to stay still. Also, the focus on their chests, with the identical rows of gold buttons is too fine to account for working lungs. However, both boys somehow managed to move their tinted faces just the slightest bit. Although they do look to be sharp, a slight blurriness of their eyes betrays them. The boy on the left also moved his hands. I really like how the boys fit in the mat’s frame. The image in spectacular condition and has been resealed. It comes in a whole leather case.