Tennessee11
Lincolns - 1847
Image Description - Two originals from Library of Congress; composited, repaired, and colorized. Since the originals are in the mirror-reverse like all of those early daguerreotypes, I decided to leave the restoration that way also. While working on this image, it occurred to me that the two originals were not intended as an end in themselves but made to serve as a portrait artist’s reference for a painting. An artist’s studio sitting would have required far too much time for the subjects. The early daguerreotypes were a hastle; however, they were often used by artists to project a much larger first impression on canvas. Color was also in the artist’s professional advantage in going this route. I have never seen any such painting of the Lincolns that were taken from these originals. Maybe the project never materialized. Perhaps this is why their arms interlock together so well; it was part of someone’s clever plan way back there in time past.
Lincolns - 1847
Image Description - Two originals from Library of Congress; composited, repaired, and colorized. Since the originals are in the mirror-reverse like all of those early daguerreotypes, I decided to leave the restoration that way also. While working on this image, it occurred to me that the two originals were not intended as an end in themselves but made to serve as a portrait artist’s reference for a painting. An artist’s studio sitting would have required far too much time for the subjects. The early daguerreotypes were a hastle; however, they were often used by artists to project a much larger first impression on canvas. Color was also in the artist’s professional advantage in going this route. I have never seen any such painting of the Lincolns that were taken from these originals. Maybe the project never materialized. Perhaps this is why their arms interlock together so well; it was part of someone’s clever plan way back there in time past.