[African American soldier, full-length portrait, wearing GAR medal, standing next to table]

Archive record

1 photographic print on cabinet card ; 17 x 11 cm.

About this photograph

A formal studio portrait of an African American veteran wearing a Grand Army of the Republic medal. The photograph was made by John Nephew, working around 1857 or later.

Studio portraiture held particular significance in Black communities during this period. Sitting for a formal portrait was a deliberate assertion of dignity at a time when published images of African Americans were dominated by caricature. Black-owned studios operated in many cities to serve clients that white studios often refused or treated poorly.

The original catalogue record does not identify the sitter by name. This reflects common record-keeping practices of the era, which frequently left Black sitters unnamed while naming white ones.

The photograph is a cabinet card, a popular format of the period measuring approximately 17 by 11 centimeters.

Compiled from the catalogue record and reference notes on the formats and events involved. The archive record above is the primary source.

About the format

Rights & Attribution

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