Photograph Found: A Concise History of the Joseph Smith Daguerreotype
by Reed R. Simonsen & Chad Fugate
(reprint of original early 1990s research, released 1993 with minor corrections)
Above: The only photograph of Joseph Smith, Jr., authenticated by his own family during their lifetimes in the 1800s.
The correct physical appearance of the Prophet Joseph Smith has been a topic of research for almost a century. Numerous approaches — many very clever — have been used to try and better visualize this great leader. Over the years so many interpretations of his likeness have been thrust upon the public that no one really knows what he looked like. As one well known LDS artist wrote: “This is a fascinating subject and I’d give anything to look into a time machine for a few minutes and actually see the man. He wouldn’t look much like our current image of him.”
While some physical evidence remains from the Prophet’s life, namely: a death mask, some crude “shadow-art” and a few exhumation photographs, artists using the same artifacts differ in opinion as to how to use them. Thus, from similar sources, come many different views, each with claims of authenticity. (see Fig. 1 below) Such confusion would be dispelled if Joseph Smith had been photographed.
While some physical evidence remains from the Prophet’s life, namely: a death mask, some crude “shadow-art” and a few exhumation photographs, artists using the same artifacts differ in opinion as to how to use them. Thus, from similar sources, come many different views, each with claims of authenticity. (see Fig. 1 below) Such confusion would be dispelled if Joseph Smith had been photographed.
We believe that Joseph was indeed photographed and that a copy of this original image still survives. The purpose of this research is to present evidence of this, in the form of expert testimony from a variety of professional disciplines coupled with historical fact. It should be noted that many scholars may be familiar with parts of this argument. We ask that you bear with us as this history is laid down. It is essential, for the comprehension of the argument, that the information be read in order, as well as in its entirety.
The Possibility of a Joseph Smith Photograph
The reality that there is a photograph of Joseph Smith is more than mere conjecture. Photography was well established in the United States during the Prophet’s life-time and there was a known photographer living in Nauvoo several months prior to the Prophet’s death. Early photographs of this period were called daguerreotypes. Testimony has been recorded by people who saw a daguerreotype of the Prophet.
The most prominent among these witnesses was Joseph Smith III, the eldest living son of Joseph Smith Jr. In a letter to the Salt Lake Tribune, dated March 10th, 1910. He states: "It fortunately happens to us... [that we know the] characteristic likeness [of] my father by the daguerreotype in our possession." Joseph III also gave the name of the photographer who took the picture, Lucien Foster. The complete text of his letter will be discussed in a following section.
Another to mention the daguerreotype was Charles W. Carter, a professional Salt Lake City photographer. In 1885 he announced that he had an artistic rendition of the daguerreotype for sale. It was described thus: “Joseph Smith, the Prophet: Copied from the original daguerreotype, taken at the City of Nauvoo, in 1843.” (see Fig.2) A short time later Mr. Carter would advertise in the Deseret News: “C. W. Carter, photographer of this city, has in his possession a daguerreotype portrait of the Prophet Joseph Smith, taken in Nauvoo in the year 1843.” He would later state how he came to obtain this image in another advertisement: “THE ONLY CORRECT PHOTOGRAPH OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH... copied from the original daguerreotype taken in 1843, kindly loaned to me by Joseph Smith, jr.” Years later the Prophet’s grandson, Israel A. Smith, would state: “We have daguerreotypes of both grandfather and grandmother..."
Several images with amazing similarity have come down to us through the years claiming to be copied from, retouches of, or paintings of, this elusive daguerreotype. It is important to note the high degree of similarity between these images. If a daguerreotype of the Prophet really existed it is logical to assume that it would have these similarities. (see Fig.3) Before proceeding with more detail it would be useful to examine a brief history of photography up to and including the daguerreotype process.
Another to mention the daguerreotype was Charles W. Carter, a professional Salt Lake City photographer. In 1885 he announced that he had an artistic rendition of the daguerreotype for sale. It was described thus: “Joseph Smith, the Prophet: Copied from the original daguerreotype, taken at the City of Nauvoo, in 1843.” (see Fig.2) A short time later Mr. Carter would advertise in the Deseret News: “C. W. Carter, photographer of this city, has in his possession a daguerreotype portrait of the Prophet Joseph Smith, taken in Nauvoo in the year 1843.” He would later state how he came to obtain this image in another advertisement: “THE ONLY CORRECT PHOTOGRAPH OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH... copied from the original daguerreotype taken in 1843, kindly loaned to me by Joseph Smith, jr.” Years later the Prophet’s grandson, Israel A. Smith, would state: “We have daguerreotypes of both grandfather and grandmother..."
Several images with amazing similarity have come down to us through the years claiming to be copied from, retouches of, or paintings of, this elusive daguerreotype. It is important to note the high degree of similarity between these images. If a daguerreotype of the Prophet really existed it is logical to assume that it would have these similarities. (see Fig.3) Before proceeding with more detail it would be useful to examine a brief history of photography up to and including the daguerreotype process.
