“Equal to Any in the City:” Ball & Thomas Photographs, 1840s–1870s

“Equal to Any in the City:” Ball & Thomas Photographs, 1840s–1870s reveals the pioneering work of photographers James Presley Ball and Alexander S. Thomas, whose studios helped shape early photographic culture in 19th-century Cincinnati. Drawing on the Cincinnati Museum Center’s rich collection of their work (the largest known), the exhibition examines Ball’s training, his decision to establish a studio in Cincinnati, and the collaborative role of his family and professional partners in producing and circulating photographic images. Through portraits, studio scenes, and contextual materials, the exhibition reveals how photography functioned as both an artistic and social medium in the mid-19th century. Visitors are invited to learn how photographs were produced, experience sitting for a portrait, and discover the technologies, props, and retouching techniques that defined early studio photography. The exhibition also highlights Ball’s connections to Cincinnati’s vibrant Black community and abolitionist networks, demonstrating how photography intersected with social reform movements and the cultural life of the city during a pivotal era in American history.

Artists: James Presley Ball and Alexander S. Thomas