In this talk, Dr. Smiley will discuss American daguerreotype portraiture, its uses as both as a scientific instrument and as a means of picturing loved ones, as well as the photographic portrait as a medium of democratic participation, particularly for African American, Asian, and women subjects. Smiley will explore how nineteenth-century photographic portrait studios shaped conceptions of “self” and “other” and the sometimes-unlikely places where we may uncover these visual histories in museums and archival collections.
The “Elephant in the Room” lecture series is presented with support from Vermont Humanities.This talk is presented with additional support from Dinse.
For more info, visit http://henrysheldonmuseum.org/
Producer: Henry Sheldon Museum