Mirror with A Memory
Remember Alice Ball from Alice Ball Finds a Cure?
Now it’s time to meet her amazing grandfather, J.P. Ball, a pioneering African American photographer who transformed the art of portraiture in the 1800s. Through his innovative use of daguerreotypes – a special kind of photography he called “mirrors with memories” – Ball captured subjects from everyday families to famous figures like Frederick Douglas, Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, and P.T. Barnum. J.P. Ball made pictures that helped people see themselves in wonderful new ways!
This inspiring story shows how Ball’s dedication to his craft helped break down barriers and preserve precious moments of American history for generations to come. Making history one portrait at a time.
More About J.P. Ball:
Google Arts & Culture
Curationist
Sign up for our monthly newsletter or subscribe to our workbook series!
Each monthly workbook includes:
- Engaging STEM lessons and activities aligned with grade-level standards
- Fun hands-on experiments using common household materials
- Step-by-step instructions for science projects you can do at home or in the classroom
- Kitchen science recipes that teach chemistry and math concepts
- Coloring pages and puzzles featuring scientists and innovators
- Parent/teacher guide with learning objectives and discussion questions
Perfect for students ages 6-12, our workbooks make STEM learning interactive and fun!
James Presley Ball, Portrait of Frederick Douglass, 1867. Cincinnati Museum Center, CC0. Douglass is one of many public figures who sat for portraits in Ball’s studio.
J. P. Ball & Son, Carte-de-visite portrait of a young woman, c.1860. National Museum of African American History and Culture, public domain. A sepia tone carte-de-visite of a young woman, captured at the Ball & Thomas Photographic Art Gallery in Cincinnati, OH.
James Presley Ball, Portrait of Alexander Thomas, c.1851–1859. Cinccinati Museum Center, CC0. Alexander Thomas operated a joint photography studio, Ball & Thomas, with J.P. Ball from 1857-1860.
James Presley Ball, Portrait of unidentified African American men with dog, c.1887–1890. Montana Historical Society Library and Archives, educational use permitted. A rare studio portrait of African American men posing with a pet.
Mirror with a Memory
Remember Alice Ball from Alice Ball Finds a Cure?
Now it’s time to meet her amazing grandfather, J.P. Ball, a pioneering African American photographer who transformed the art of portraiture in the 1800s. Through his innovative use of daguerreotypes – a special kind of photography he called “mirrors with memories” – Ball captured subjects from everyday families to famous figures like Frederick Douglas, Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, and P.T. Barnum. J.P. Ball made pictures that helped people see themselves in wonderful new ways!
This inspiring story shows how Ball’s dedication to his craft helped break down barriers and preserve precious moments of American history for generations to come. Making history one portrait at a time.
More About J.P. Ball:
Google Arts & Culture
Curationist
Sign up for our monthly newsletter or subscribe to our workbook series!
Each monthly workbook includes:
-Engaging STEM lessons and activities aligned with grade-level standards
-Fun hands-on experiments using common household materials
-Step-by-step instructions for science projects you can do at home or in the classroom
-Kitchen science recipes that teach chemistry and math concepts
-Coloring pages and puzzles featuring scientists and innovators
-Parent/teacher guide with learning objectives and discussion questions
- Perfect for students ages 6-12, our workbooks make STEM learning interactive and fun!
James Presley Ball, Portrait of Frederick Douglass, 1867. Cincinnati Museum Center, CC0. Douglass is one of many public figures who sat for portraits in Ball’s studio.
James Presley Ball, Portrait of Alexander Thomas, c.1851–1859. Cinccinati Museum Center, CC0. Alexander Thomas operated a joint photography studio, Ball & Thomas, with J.P. Ball from 1857-1860.
