19th Century Art.

Members of Eynard Family and Friends, ca. 1846, by Jean-Gabriel Eynard, Swiss, daguerreotype.

In its earliest days photography lent itself best to landscapes, still-life work, seldom to people. In 1846 the exposure time for a portrait like this, in full sunlight, would have approached a full minute. For an adult that is a painful amount of time to maintain total stillness. For a child it is unthinkable.

Yet the expressions on the people here are uniformly pleasant, relaxed, comfortable.

The photo is a work of art--well composed, technically excellent, beautifully executed. That it was done in that era, on that equipment, makes it extraordinary.

The matting and framing, from The Getty Museum in Los Angeles, are perfect, just perfect. Inspiring.