This is the only likeness of himself not based on a photograph that Whitman used in his books. Whitman called it "characteristic," and noted that "I was in full bloom then: weighed two hundred and ten pounds" "in those years I was in the best health: not a thing amiss."

This photograph appears in 1889 Leaves of Grass (pocket edition). Whitman asked Horace Traubel about this photo: "Do you think it glum? severe? I have had that suspicion but most people won't hear of it." When Traubel dissented, Whitman said, "I hope your view is correct: I don't want to figure anywhere as misanthropic, sour, doubtful: as a discourager - as a putter-out of lights." Whitman records in his daybooks receiving photos from Gutekunst in March 1880.

In July 1878, Whitman was invited by Sarony to sit for a group of portraits; this and eight other photographs are the result. Whitman wrote Harry Stafford on the afternoon after the sitting at "the great photographic establishment" that he "had a real pleasant time". In the Library of Congress copy, Whitman erroneously dates this photograph 1872.

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