Comments on: A Mormon Image: A Photograph of Joseph?

By: W Thompson

W Thompson — Fri, 17 Dec 2004 21:59:48 +0000

By the way, I’m the one who recognized this as being JS.

By: W Thompson

W Thompson — Fri, 17 Dec 2004 21:58:43 +0000

If you all want to see a REAL photo of Joseph Smith, go to lincolnportrait.com.
Compare this photo with the death mask-it’s him, moles and all.

By: Kim Smith

Kim Smith — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 05:45:57 +0000

My grandma and grandpa smith had copies of the paintings of Joseph and Emma, my great great grandparents, the paintings that hang in the mansion house in Nauvoo. The originals are in Independence. The one of Joseph is almost exactly like this photograph. I have been told by some that is a picture of that painting, but if one compares them there are some slight differences. I can only say that when looking at the picture I can see strong resemblances of family; my son, some of my cousins and my brother. It is hard to trust many images taken from the death mask because Uncle Joseph III said that some features were too pronounced, he felt from damages caused from the impact of the fall from the Carthage Jail. David Lindsley’s portrait of Joseph also resembles much of the family. Personally I feel that this is indeed a true photograph, though I am no expert. It is an interesting exploration, especially for the family.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 21 Nov 2004 05:08:13 +0000

By: andrew petrou

andrew petrou — Tue, 02 Nov 2004 01:33:51 +0000

Joseph Smith had an unusually smooth face due to the (eyewitness reported) fact that he was unable to grow a beard at all.This is further proof that the photo is real.
Hence the unusual smoothness of the face.

By: Adam Greenwood

Adam Greenwood — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Joseph Smith seems really smooth-skinned in the photo, but is that just because of the poor quality? I notice that I always look more noble and less blemished in blurry photographs.

By: Paul Smith

Paul Smith — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think this is pretty obviously a photograph of the painting. Everything appears exactly the same, even down to the small ray of light in his left (our right) eye. Study it closely, I think you’ll agree.

By: david gallagher

david gallagher — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The painting has none of the photographic-looking subtlety of the daguerrotype. Another possibility is that the painting was based on this image.

The bottom of the tie is obviously retouched, but the lower right corner with the button and coat details are strikingly realistic down to the depth-of-field blur in the most foreground elements.

I think it’s a retouched photograph.

Also take a look at this photo. I saw a print of it years ago in person, and it included the body too, if I remember correctly.

http://wind.prohosting.com/rlanwood/earlyjoe.jpg

By: david gallagher

david gallagher — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

http://wind.prohosting.com/rlanwood/earlyjoe.htm

By: David Gallagher

David Gallagher — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Another useful link. This includes discussion and background of the image:

http://comevisit.com/lds/faq-dld.htm

By: Paul Smith

Paul Smith — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I didn’t think about the fact that the paintinf is of the daguerrotype. That seems to be, after reading from the link, the most logical conclusion. Thanks.

By: Nate

Nate — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I am curious about the second photograph that David posted. I have never seen it before. I am a bit skeptical. It seems a bit young and the cheek bones seem less promient than they should be. (BTW, we have a good control on what Joseph looked like from his death mask — a plaster copy of his face — taken at Nuavoo shortly after his death.) Also, I have always heard that there was no photographer in Nauvoo until 1844. Obviously, I am no expert on this. I am just curious…

By: andrew petrou

andrew petrou — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I am a portrait painter and a member of the LDS church and I can already safely say that the alleged photo is in no way a photo of a painting.
However,I also possess a degree in Archaeology and it is certainly easy these days to fake a small thing like a photo.BUT if the only debate is that the photo is supposed to be a photo of a painting THEN this is a photo of the Prophet.

By: Claudia J Stearn

Claudia J Stearn — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Can someone help me with this photo that I have posted. I would like to know anything about it….Thank you..Claudia

By: Claudia J Stearn

Claudia J Stearn — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’m sorry here it is. Please email me if you have any info on it….Thank you…..Claudia

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/cl/claudiaandbill/aclock030.jpg