I found ‘Delfina’s"‘ fading image on a lightly bent piece of metal known as a ferrotype or tintype. Her intense, stare gives this tiny photo an intriguing presence. She exists now without a country. The little details that can be seen are the dropped shoulder seam of her Garibaldi shirt which would have been tucked into a large hooped skirt. That detail and the photography method used, point to the image being captured in the 1860s.

“Delfina” 1860s
Graphite on paper
Sierra Lowe | 2018

Creating these portraits, based upon real people from the past, is an opportunity to explore a life and time other than our own. Lovingly working on their portraits, I am rendering them as carefully as I would my own ancestors, while preparing them to be a source of strength and foundation for whomever chooses to bring their memory into their home. The calm faces from the past at once offer comfort but also a broader perspective that removes us from the hyper-focus of our day-to-day. If ‘Delfina’ and her ambiguous origins speak to you, if she represents an ancestor you would gladly treasure, I invite you to bring her into your family.

Original artwork
Lightweight, off-white frame
Polystyrene protective face for safe shipping
Saw-Tooth hanger

(Note: Frame, mat and paper may vary between arctic-white and off-white)