Walt Whitman 1863
Whitman referred to this as "the best picture of all" when it came to portraits of himself.
Later in his life, he described it as having "almost the old professor look". He mused, "How well I was then! Full of initiative, vigor, joy, not much belly, but grit, fibre, hold, solidity. Indeed, all through those years, I was at my best, physically at my best, mentally, every way."
Original black and white photo by Alexander Gardner (1812-1882), courtesy of the Library of Congress
Walt Whitman 1863
Whitman referred to this as "the best picture of all" when it came to portraits of himself.
Later in his life, he described it as having "almost the old professor look". He mused, "How well I was then! Full of initiative, vigor, joy, not much belly, but grit, fibre, hold, solidity. Indeed, all through those years, I was at my best, physically at my best, mentally, every way."
Original black and white photo by Alexander Gardner (1812-1882), courtesy of the Library of Congress