Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: closing June 2, 2019
The National Portrait Galley collects daguerreotypes, and since they've been in existence for 50 years, they have a lot of them. When they were first made available, they were a way of democratizing portraiture, as they were much less expensive than paying an artist to paint a picture. Think of them as the selfies of the 19th century. Although it was a Frenchman, Louis-Jacques-Mande Daguerre who invented them, it was Americans who saw their potential and made them a commercial success.
The daguerreotypes on display in this small display are of famous people of the day. P.T. Barnum makes an appearance, so that makes twice I've seen him lately - he was also featured in the "Lincoln's Contemporaries" show. In addition, Robert Dale Owen is represented. He was elected to Congress in 1842 and is known for introducing the legislation that established the Smithsonian. So thanks very much Robert!
Verdict: If you are interested in 19th century portraiture, have a look.
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