The Silent Archive

This 1885 Portrait of Two Miners Looks Proud Until You Notice The Lamp Numbers

This 1912 Portrait of a Bellhop Looks Polite Until You See His Paybook

This 1879 Cabin Portrait Looks Simple Until You Notice The Baby’s Bracelet

This 1918 Factory Portrait Looks Clean Until You Notice The Girl’s Scarf

This 1866 Portrait of Two Women Looks Tender Until You Notice The Chain on the Floor

This 1889 Studio Portrait Looks Joyful Until You See The Father’s Thumb

This 1867 Photo of Two Women Looks Peaceful Until You Notice The Ribbon

This 1901 Studio Photo Looks Like a Friendly Partnership Until You See The Contract

This 1925 Portrait of Two Sisters Looks Sweet Until You Notice The Hairpin

This 1889 Portrait of a Teacher and Student Looks Simple Until You Notice The Slate

This 1917 Portrait of Two Factory Girls Looks Ordinary Until You See The Chalk Marks

This 1858 Daguerreotype of a Servant Girl Looks Calm Until You Notice The Letter Under Her Apron

This 1906 Marriage Portrait Looks Joyful Until You Notice Her Shoes

This 1913 Photo of a Nurse and Patient Looks Tender Until You See The Tag

This 1874 Plantation Portrait Looks Peaceful Until You Notice The Boy’s Wrist

This 1891 Portrait of Two Brothers Looks Ordinary Until You See Their Collars