Alonzo Potter 1862

This photograph of Alonzo Potter, Bishop of Pennsylvania, was created by Jeremiah Gurney, a prominent New York photographer around the middle of the 19th century. In the United States at this time, the church and its leading figures played a vital role in shaping social values and public life. Potter was a significant figure in the Episcopal Church, and Gurney’s portrait would have been a symbol of his authority. The photograph is carefully composed, presenting Potter as a figure of wisdom and moral authority. Photography studios emerged as important institutions for portraiture at this time, taking over the role that painting had previously played, and this image gives us a fascinating insight into the way leading figures chose to present themselves to the public. By researching archives, letters, and other historical documents, we can begin to understand how Potter's image was used to shape public perceptions of the church.