Seated studio portrait albumen of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. [Baltimore]: Bendann Brothers, circa 1861-1863. 6 x 8 in., matted and framed to approx. 11 x 13 in. wall frame. Photographer's imprint to mount recto and verso. 

A sticker to the verso reads: "STONEWALL JACKSON. / PRONOUNCED BY MRS. GEN'L JACKSON, / The only Correct Likeness Extant. / None genuine unless stamped with our name, and to be obtained only at / JAMES FRYER'S / EMPORIUM OF ART, / No. 206 Baltimore Street, / AND OUR GALLERIES, / 207 Baltimore Street, / BENDANN BROS." 

A portrait of Stonewall Jackson taken by the Bendann Brothers. Records of this photo attest that it was taken in West Virginia in 1862, but the Bendann Brothers' imprints indicate the photo was taken in Baltimore. Regardless, this is well-maintained portrait of the infamous Confederate general. 

The Bendann Brothers had studios in New York and Baltimore, the latter of which was a heavily divided city. Baltimore had a large population of free African Americans and white abolitionists, but was also home to a large contingent of Democratic Copperheads and Southern sympathizers. Maryland was a slave state, too, but did not join the Southern states in secession. 

One of the brothers, David, signed a parole of honor promising to not aid or encourage the Confederates; however, the brothers often took photos of Confederate officers. This dichotomy adds an interesting layer to the portrait. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards]