These three daguerreotype portraits of George Macintosh Maclean and his son John were taken within a year's time of each other. It is almost certain that the second two were taken by the same photographer, perhaps at the same session, while the first was taken at another time -- perhaps earlier, for John Maclean appears to be slightly younger. Other details distinguish this portrait from the other two: The light background, the book the father has open on the table, the pen he holds, and the gold paint highlighting the buttons of young John Maclean's jacket.

The pose of all three daguerreotypes is remarkably similar, and suggests the conscious choice by father and son of this pose. In each portrait the father sits with a book or sheaf of paper in hand, and gazes directly at the viewer. His son stands at the right with his eyes lowered and his hand resting on his father's shoulder. While allegorical compositions of youth and age were common, and the conceit of holding a book or writing was meant as an indication of intellectual or scholarly pursuits, no precedent has been located for a pose of this exact type. Perhaps it is meant to show the father as his son's teacher - the boy may be looking down at what is written on the paper or book his father holds - or his lowered eyes may simply indicate a measure of respect.

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