This ambrotype is unusual for several reasons. First, it is by an American, George Prentiss. Second, it is very early, from 1859. And last, someone thought enough of it to keep it in an expensive gilded frame. It must have been someone's pride and joy, and I think I know why.
1859? WOW! P.S. The frame is perfect.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is.
DeleteCould that be a circumcision scar?
ReplyDeleteUnlikely unless he was Jewish.
DeleteTo elaborate, circumcision was definitely a minority at the time. The first recorded medical circumcision in the States was actually nearly two decades later in 1878, to treat a paraplegic boy. The surgeon, a Dr. Lewis Sayre, claimed the foreskin blocked "vital force" flowing to the legs. Seriously.
DeleteOh, dear. That was quackery even for the time.
DeleteSuch a crazy reason to give. Wow.
DeleteMost quackery is really older medical modalities that simply cannot work. Circumcision is interesting just for it's history. It was invented independently on at least two continents, Africa and Australia. (In Europe and Asia, it spread with the Jewish diaspora and more importantly with the ascendancy of Islam.) In modern times, it takes the familiar quack path of claiming to cure whatever the Big Bad Scary Disease is, for the umpteenth time.
DeleteVery beautiful, and fascinating. Taken to be used by artists? A very early bodybuilder?
ReplyDeleteVery likely meant to be used by artists, but someone found this print to be special and invested in a frame, something an artist who couldn't afford a model probably wouldn't do.
DeleteWonderful piece. Photo, model and frame. Incredible for the period. Glad it survived.
ReplyDeleteWay ahead of its time.
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