Untitled [half-length portrait of a seated woman] 1852 - 1858

This half-length portrait of a seated woman is a daguerreotype, created by Jeremiah Gurney, a prominent American photographer of the mid-19th century. Photography during this period served as both a document and a symbol of social identity. In this portrait, the woman's gaze is direct, which seems to challenge traditional representations of women as passive subjects. Consider the cultural norms of the time, where women's roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere. Here, this woman's image becomes a statement of presence and self-possession. Note the locket she holds, likely containing a portrait of a loved one, perhaps a child or husband. This detail adds a layer of emotional depth, hinting at the personal stories and relationships that define her life beyond the formal portrait. This image invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between public image and private identity and also the ways in which individuals sought to define themselves through the new medium of photography.