Yet there were many other men, women and children he photographed — such as those shown below — people whose names we don’t know, but whose images survive to this day. Discovered while browsing the US Library of Congress’ vast collection, these faces all remain unidentified.
What else, besides this mystery, do these pictures have in common? Each of these unidentified antique portraitswas apparently taken in Cincinnati, Ohio, between 1847 and 1860 (except where noted).
Unidentified young woman, half-length portrait
A woman in a patterned dress, wearing a ribbon choker and large hanging earrings, sits with her left arm resting on a table. Hand-coloring is visible on her cheeks.
Unidentified man and boy
Probably a father and son. Father is wearing a military medal.
Unidentified man, three-quarters length portrait
Standing in front of painted backdrop (photo from between 1858 and 1860)
An unidentified couple, hand-colored
Probably a husband and wife, with the man seated and the woman standing.
The man has a Lincoln-style goatee and may be holding a pen. The woman is wearing a chain belt, thick necklace, earrings, a bracelet on her left wrist, and a single brooch on her blouse.
MORE: Civil War-era dresses for women (1861-1867)
Three unidentified women
Possibly a mother, daughter and grandmother. The two older women have their arms intertwined.
Unidentified woman in a bonnet
Holding a toddler in her lap
ALSO SEE: Why long hair was a burden to Civil War-era women (1862)
Three unidentified women
Possibly a mother and her two daughters
Unidentified man, half-length portrait
A man looks directly at the camera, his arm resting on table with tablecloth
An unidentified couple
A stern-looking couple — likely a husband and wife. Though both wear unhappy expressions, he gently rests his right arm on her shoulder. (Portrait from c1862)
More unidentified antique portraits from before the Civil War
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ALSO SEE: Fighting for the Union: 20 African American soldiers from the Civil War
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DON’T MISS: Early American portrait miniatures: See 38 tiny pieces of antique art history
One Response
The eighth image down, the one with the single man resting his arm on a table, is a portrait of Oliver Cowdery. He was the scribe to Joseph Smith in translating the Book of Mormon. I have restored and colorized the image as viewable here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CoakSuzPJSN/?igshid=MWZjMTM2ODFkZg==