Brady & Co.

Brady & Co. was a photographic firm active during the mid-19th century, specifically documented between 1853 and 1866. Operating during a crucial period of American history, the studio contributed significant documentation through portraiture and topographical views. While the identity of the artists behind the company varied, their output forms an important visual record of the era, particularly surrounding the Civil War.

The firm's documented works, seven of which are represented in major museum collections, emphasize both prominent individuals and stark historical realities. Notable portraits include Francis Alofsen and the complex group photograph, [Senator and Mrs. James Henry Lane]. Brady & Co. also captured critical social and conflict documentation, exemplified by Slave Pen, Alexandria, Virginia and the military record Rebel Prisoners, Gettysburg.

The historical and artistic value of the studio’s output is affirmed by its inclusion in institutional holdings such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of their historical age, many of the original photographic plates produced by Brady & Co. are available in the public domain, enabling widespread access to high-quality prints and downloadable artwork for educational purposes.