Portrait of Jenny Lind
Jenny Lind, officially Johanna Maria Lind, was a Swedish opera singer who was called the “Swedish Nightingale.” Her daguerreotype is in its original case, which is decorated with a lyre, cherubs, and columns. The concept of celebrity owes much to the art of photography. For the first time, the public could visit daguerreotype galleries, like the one in Thomas Easterly’s studio, and gaze upon faithful reproductions of well-known figures.
Object Title and Accession Number
Portrait of Jenny Lind. Daguerreotype by Thomas M. Easterly, 1851. N17210.
A woman from the 19th century sits for a portrait in a decorative gold frame. She wears a dark dress with a white lace collar and cuffs, while resting one hand on a table beside her. The photo has a vintage, weathered appearance.