The discovery of a recently found daguerreotype purported to depict Joseph Smith Jr has ignited intrigue and hopeful anticipation among many individuals. As enthusiasts ardently endeavor to align the daguerreotype with the established image of Joseph, it becomes imperative to delve into crucial factors that shed light on this captivating subject.
Fact #1 Joseph Smith III only acknowledged one daguerreotype, and the newly found "Smith Photo" was not that image.
Shortly after Emma's death, Joseph Smith III penned a letter to John A. Robinson, husband of Mrs. Robinson, a reputable photographer, dated June 27, 1879.
Do you remember the question about father’s picture? If so, are you and Sr J.A. still desirous of going into it? I have intended all along to come down, but can’t see the way clear just yet. If and so have determined to send the pictures to you for a trial, if desired…. My. step father Mr Bidamon wants to sell the pictures and with this exception and what we might sell here at the office. You can have sole sale of them; and the exclusive manufacture of them, if we can agree as to terms, after we see whether they will copy well. It is the only picture (real) of father in existence. Not so many of mother’s would be wanted. I think there is a good bit of money in it for someone; and Sr Robinson and you may as well get it as anyone.
Joseph's statement, "It is the only picture (real) of father in existence," provides compelling evidence. This remark rules out the possibility of referring to a painted portrayal since Joseph was well aware of his father sitting for multiple paintings and drawings. Instead, it strongly suggests the existence of a unique and singular image. Furthermore, Joseph's mention of the challenges involved in copying the picture aligns with the difficulties inherent in reproducing the mirrored surface of a daguerreotype.
Less than a month later, Joseph Smith III submitted an edited albumen photograph print of his father to the Library of Congress, clearly labeled as "Joseph Smith (Mormon)." This act demonstrates Joseph's unwavering determination to preserve his father's image and legacy. With a deep understanding of his father's appearance, Joseph patiently waited until after his mother's passing to reveal the image to the world, underscoring the significance he placed on sharing his father's true likeness.
One significant reason to doubt the authenticity of the newly found "Larsen Daguerreotype" as Joseph Smith Jr. is that his own son, Joseph Smith III, never acknowledged it or had it reproduced. In a letter to The Salt Lake Tribune in 1910, Joseph III mentioned a painted portrait from 1843 that closely resembled his father's daguerreotype taken around the same time by Lucian Foster.
In 1885, photographer CW Carter announced that he possessed the "only correct photograph" of Joseph Smith. This photograph was a copy of the original daguerreotype taken in 1843 and was loaned to him by Joseph Smith Jr. This supports the notion that there was only one daguerreotype of Joseph Smith and confirms their knowledge of its appearance.
Fact #2 The newly found photo looks nothing like any of Joseph's images.
Allow me to present some of my observations regarding the "Smith Daguerreotype." Firstly, it is evident that the depicted man in the daguerreotype has dark brown hair, which contrasts with the consensus from various accounts and a hair sample indicating that Joseph Smith likely had dark blond hair. As an artist, I often work with values, and it is interesting to note that the value of a color is often easier to discern in black and white.
Upon closer examination of the daguerreotype, it becomes apparent that the subject appears thin and lean, lacking noticeable facial fat. This is in contrast to common depictions of Joseph Smith, who was often portrayed with additional weight, particularly in the chin area. Sutcliffe Maudsley's profile drawings serve as a valuable reference in this context. Furthermore, the man in the daguerreotype displays characteristics such as a wide mouth, wide nose bridge, small deep-set eyes, tan weathered skin, and strong creases (nasolabial folds) Again this is not consistent with any depiction of Joseph. Based on these observations, it is conceivable to entertain the possibility that the individual in the daguerreotype could be Hyrum Smith, Joseph's brother, as reports suggest the existence of an undiscovered daguerreotype of Hyrum and do fit his description closer.
Let AI (Artificial Intelligence) help us measure faces using the death masks of Joseph & Hyrum.
Thanks to the remarkable advancements in AI technology, we now have the ability to replicate images with remarkable accuracy. Using an AI face tool, I embarked on a fascinating comparison. I started with a semi-generic image as the host and uploaded three images for analysis: a copy of the original daguerreotype of Joseph, Joseph's death mask, and the "Larsen Daguerreotype." I arranged them in a side-by-side comparison.
It is important to note that while the death mask can be a useful tool for facial measurements, it was created posthumously, while Joseph lay on a table or the ground. When a person passes away, blood no longer circulates, and the muscles responsible for facial structure relax. As many of you may have witnessed with a deceased loved one, this can significantly alter their appearance. Additionally, reports indicate that both Joseph and Hyrum had cotton placed in their noses to maintain shape. I conducted a similar experiment on my (live) husband and observed that it can dramatically change the width and profile of the nose. Therefore, our focus lies in comparing the bone structure, particularly the bridge and top of the nose, where thin skin allows us a glimpse of the underlying skull.
In this comparison, I present three images: the first image is derived from my Joseph Smith photo, the second image is sourced from the death mask, and the third image showcases the Larsen Daguerreotype. It is crucial to note that when replicating the death mask, the AI must make assumptions about the appearance of the eyes since it lacks information about their natural openness, the thickness of the lid, or the size of the iris. However, the AI accurately positions the eyes by triangulating landmarks on Joseph Smith's face, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the facial features.
For a more detailed examination, I conducted a comparison between the Larsen Daguerreotype and the Death Mask, focusing on the width of the bridge of the nose and the proximity of the eyes to the bridge. By closely observing these features, it becomes evident that they do not belong to the same individual. The Larsen Daguerreotype has a bridge that is almost the width of his deep-set eyes. The Death Mask Shows a more narrow bridge, with space for large more prominent eyes.
For comparison purposes, I uploaded my photo of Joseph, and to my delight, it aligns perfectly with the subject in question. The spacing and proportions are spot-on, providing strong evidence of a match. Upon closer examination, it is evident that Joseph had larger irises and a noticeable inward turn of the right eye due to esotropia. Although the AI's attempt at replicating these details is commendable, there are slight differences. Nonetheless, the overall result is impressive considering the AI's estimation.
If the Larsen Daguerreotype isn't Joseph, could it be Hyrum Smith?
Although I remain cautious in drawing definitive conclusions, it is worth noting that the Larsen Daguerreotype bears a stronger resemblance to Hyrum Smith compared to Joseph Smith. To explore this further, I employed the death mask of Hyrum to generate an AI image, following the same process as before.
It is crucial to consider that Hyrum's face may have been affected by the gunshot wound next to his nose, potentially leading to adjustments made during the creation of the death mask.
Despite lingering uncertainties, the Larsen Daguerreotype demonstrates a remarkable resemblance to Hyrum Smith rather than Joseph. The shared characteristics of eye shape, size, placement deep under the brow, and overall spacing provide a stronger alignment with Hyrum. However, it is important to continue scrutinizing the bridge of the nose for any potential inconsistencies that may warrant further investigation and analysis.
My final thoughts.
After conducting a thorough analysis using AI comparison and examining various factors, I am personally convinced that the photograph I received from my grandmother many years ago is indeed a contact print from the original daguerreotype of Joseph Smith Jr. The alignment and precision in measurements when compared to his death mask provide compelling evidence. On the other hand, the Larsen Daguerreotype bears striking dissimilarities and lacks the resemblance necessary to identify it as Joseph Smith Jr. I honestly believe it wouldn't pass a police lineup. Given these findings, it is imperative to pursue further research and investigation to unveil the true identity of the person captured in the Larsen Daguerreotype. The quest for historical accuracy continues, and it is through rigorous examination and analysis that we can separate fact from speculation.
Check back soon, I'll be back with more. Also, check my previous posts to catch up!
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