[Portrait of a Man with a Saddle]

1850–1854

Medium

Hand-colored daguerreotype

Dimensions

12.1 × 8.7 cm

Status

In Museum Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-500048

One wonders if it was the daguerreotypist or the sitter himself who chose to go to such considerable lengths to dress for this image. If ever there were a cowboy dandy, this is his portrait. Confidently, but self-consciously posed and standing next to a table covered with fancy linens on which a highly polished saddle is displayed, he holds a small cigar in one hand and a buttoned leather glove in the other. His gleaming white, wide-brimmed hat sets off his dark moustache, chin beard, and sideburns. He wears a fringed poncho and scarf, elegant protection against a rugged winter. The slight discomfort evident in his gaze may result from the lengthy portrait sitting or may indicate that he is merely playing dress-up with a borrowed costume. Adapted from getty.edu, Interpretive Content Department, 2008