Artwork Page for Cleveland

Details / Information for Cleveland

Cleveland

c. 1842–1843

Louis-Auguste Bisson

(French, 1814–1876)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
daguerreotype
Measurements
Image: 8.1 x 10.9 cm (3 3/16 x 4 5/16 in.); Matted: 25.4 x 30.5 cm (10 x 12 in.)
Credit Line
Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund 1991.38
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

Louis-Auguste Bisson's Cleveland is an outstanding example of the artistry of the French daguerreotype, aided by recent technical advances at the time. Between 1839 and 1841, for example, exposure times had been reduced from 15 minutes to one or two minutes. This descriptive portrait of the famous dark bay English stallion named Cleveland is a rare example of the small group of daguerreotypes of horses made by Bisson, who launched the 19th-century tradition of horse portrait photography. The profile pose allowed the photographer to document the anatomical details of the horse, its physiognomy, and breeding. This unusual outdoor picture is a testament to Bisson's technical ability, the speed of the exposure, and the horse's willingness to stand still.
A horizontally oriented, monochromatic daguerreotype set within an octagonal mat depicts a horse in profile facing right. A man with light skin, in a dark hat and coat, holds the animal's muzzle. Behind them, a wooden fence runs before a building with a pointed roof. Cursive text reads "Cleveland." below the image, framed by a thin teal border. Scratches and flecks across the surface add aged texture.

Cleveland

c. 1842–1843

Louis-Auguste Bisson

(French, 1814–1876)
France, 19th century

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