Penn Quarter in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Daguerre Monument
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 9, 2023
This monument pays tribute to French Artist and inventor Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre (1787–1851), who revolutionized picture-making in 1839 by introducing the first practical form of photography to the world. Known as the daguerreotype, Daguerre's process used chemically sensitized plates of silver-clad copper to produce unique, direct-positive images that won international acclaim for their extraordinary clarity and detail.
In 1889 the Photographers' Association of America commissioned sculptor Jonathan Scott Hartley to create this work to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Daguerre's achievement. Hartley's design features a likeness of Daguerre based on an original 1848 daguerreotype by American photographer Charles R. Meade (1826–1858) of Meade Brothers Studio. The Sculpture includes the kneeling figure of fame, who frames Daguerre's head with a laurel wreath fashioned from the garland that encircles the globe—a symbol of the international impact of Daguerre's invention. Upon its completion in 1890, the Daguerre Monument was presented to the Smithsonian. It was placed in its current location in 1989, with the sponsorship of the Professional Photographers of America, to mark the 150th anniversary of photography.
Jonathan Scott Hartley (1845–1912)
Bronze and granite, cast in 1890 by Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company
Lent to the National Portrait Gallery by the National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Conservation of the Daguerre Monument in 2014 was made possible with federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Advisory Committee.
Erected 2014.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.
Location. 38° 53.857′ N, 77° 1.325′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in the Penn Quarter. Marker is at the intersection of 7th Street Northwest and F Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south on 7th Street Northwest. at the southeast corner of the National Portrait Gallery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 7th Street Northwest, Washington DC 20004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Daguerre Monument (here, next to this marker); The Chinese Hackberry Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Discover DC / Gallery Place / Arena (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Church Terrell (within shouting distance of this marker); The Roots of Freedom and Equality (within shouting distance of this marker); Man with Briefcase (within shouting distance of this marker); Patent Office Building (within shouting distance of this marker); General Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Also see . . .
1. Who Is That Frenchman on Seventh Street?. National Portrait Gallery, Face to Face blog. (Submitted on February 17, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
2. History and Practice of Photogenic Drawing. Internet Archive entry:
A translation of Daguerre's 1839 booklet describing his technique (Submitted on February 17, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 9, 2023
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 675 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 9, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on February 17, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3. submitted on July 9, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on February 17, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.