A Showing of Daguerreotypes, ca. 1850, quarter-plate
daguerreotype (The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art)

What is a daguerreotype?

A daguerreotype is the earliest widely adopted form of photography, introduced in 1839 by Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre. It produced a highly detailed, one-of-a-kind image on a polished silver-coated copper plate. No negative was involved—each daguerreotype is a unique object.

What were typical subjects?

• Portraits (adults, children, couples)
• Views of streets, architecture, and landmarks
• Occupational portraits
• Occasionally postmortem images
• Outdoor landscapes (less common)

Why was the invention of the daguerreotype important?

The daguerreotype was revolutionary: It produced images with unprecedented accuracy and detail; made portraiture accessible to the middle class; and led to the rise of a booming photographic industry during the 1840s–1850s, as studios rapidly spread across Europe and the United States.

How can you identify a daguerreotype?

The most reliable way is the mirror test. Hold the image at different angles:

• A daguerreotype looks mirrorlike—you’ll see your reflection.
• The image flips between positive and negative depending on how light hits it.

For more information on daguerreotypes, including how they differ from ambrotypes and tintypes, visit our FAQ page.