National Portrait Gallery presents The Meade Brothers: Pioneers in American Photography in the museum’s gallery dedicated to daguerreotypes June 14 through June 1, 2014.
The Meade brothers, along with their contemporaries such as Mathew Brady and Southworth and Hawes, are recognized as leading members of the first generation of American photographers. This exhibition is thought to be the first dedicated solely to their work.
The brothers opened their daguerreian gallery in Albany, N.Y., in 1842, and their business later expanded to other cities. They each traveled to Europe and in 1848, Charles Meade became the first American to photograph Frenchman Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre—the originator of the daguerreotype process. In 1850, the Meade brothers established their flagship American Daguerreotype Gallery on Broadway in New York City, where they photographed such famous subjects as statesman Daniel Webster and entertainer Lola Montez.
The Portrait Gallery’s substantial collection of Meade brothers’ daguerreotypes will serve as the core of the exhibition. In addition, loans of Meade brothers’ objects from public institutions and private collections—including a large-format daguerreotype of Sam Houston and two daguerreotypes of Daguerre—will be featured. Information: (202) 633-1000. Website: npg.si.edu