19th Century

james presley ball, sr.

Born 1825 Died 1904

James Presley Ball Sr.: A Pioneer in Photography and Abolitionism Born: Frederick County, United States of America (1825) Died: 1904 James Presley Ball Sr. was a remarkable figure in 19th-century America, recognized as an African American photographer, abolitionist, and businessman. Born into freedom in Frederick County, Virginia, around 1825, Ball’s life exemplified resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering commitment to social justice. His journey from learning the daguerreotype process to establishing successful photography studios across the Midwest and West reflects a rem…

works mapped

subjects

1904

active until

An Interactive Constellation

The Subject Atlas

A chart of james presley ball, sr.'s corpus mapped not by date but by subject. Spokes are what they painted; rings are when; and the threads between stars reveal the patrons and places that secretly connect them.

Focus a Subject

Trace a Context

Spokes — Subject

Each arm of the atlas gathers works by what they depict: portraits, sacred scenes, mythologies, and the scientific studies. Click a spoke to swing that cluster to the top.

Rings — Career Period

Distance from the center marks time. The innermost ring is the earliest period; the outermost, the final years. Style matures as you move outward.

Threads — Shared Context

Coloured lines link works bound by the same patron, commission, or theme. Trace a context to watch related clusters light up across subjects.

james presley ball, sr.

1825 - 1904

The Subject Atlas

Spokes — Subject

Rings — Career Period

Threads — Shared Context

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