Have you ever wondered why portraits are so popular? Portraiture dates back to at least ancient Egypt, where it flourished from about 5,000 years ago. Before the invention of photography, a painted, sculpted, or drawn portrait was the only way to record the appearance of someone. But portraits have always been more than just a record. They are an expression of an individual's inner soul. They can show many qualities and virtues of the sitter, such as power, wealth, virtue, importance, or beauty.
Commissioned painted portraits initially were for the wealthy, but after the invent of photography, the portrait became popular amongst the masses.
Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre is credited with creating the science behind a commercially successful photographic process in the early 1800's. Each daguerreotype is a unique image on a silvered copper plate, that rendered a very accurate, detailed and sharp portrait. The first photograph ever recorded was actually a "selfie". It was taken in 1839 by Robert Cornelius and was a daguerreotype.
Studios started popping up all over, and soon the masses were flocking to have their portraits taken. Over the years the photographed portrait has grown to have a similar level of respect and art appeal as the oil paintings of the past.
I guess there is always a level of vanity incorporated in every portrait, but to me it's the preservation of history. It allows each one of us to have a record of who we, or our loved ones, were at a certain point in our lives.
My most prize possession is a portrait of my parents right after they were married. Now that they have both passed, and everyday I have a beautiful representation of them at one of the happiest times of their lives. I am very appreciative of the decision they made to have the portrait taken.
So, don't be afraid to have your or a loved one's portrait created by a professional photographer, for you to love and reminiesce forever. It is an investment that you will never regret.
Please consider Milltown Photography for your fine art portraiture needs.
www.milltownphoto.com
or on instagram @milltownphoto
* the images in this post are contemporary renderings similar to that of the original daguerreotype.
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