Objects

Viewing Record 6 of 23
Previous Record  Next Record
Switch Views: Lightbox | Image List | List

Portrait of Three Men
ca. 1850
Maker not marked
USA
Daguerreotype: glass, leather, metal, velvet
Open: 6"h x 9-1/2"w x 1/4"d; Closed: 6"h x 4-3/4"w x 1/2"d
Special Acquisitions Fund
84.6

Half-plate daguerreotype shows three men, standing, wearing black suits and stocks: one wears Masonic regalia; one wears Independent Order of Odd Fellows regalia; one wears a regular suit. Regalia includes collars, sashes, aprons; areas of gold and red highlights on regalia; slight highlighting on faces.


This portrait shows three men in fraternal regalia. The man at the far right wears an Independent Order of Odd Fellows apron. The figure at the center wears a Masonic apron decorated with Masonic symbols. In choosing to be photographed in their fraternal regalia, these men proclaimed that their membership in these groups was an important part of their self-identity. For further information, see Tabbert, Mark A., "American Freemasons: Three Centuries of Building Communities," 2005, p. 65.



Related Media