Untitled [portrait of two seated gentlemen] c. 1844 - 1852

This photographic portrait of two seated gentlemen was produced by Jeremiah Gurney, a prominent New York photographer, using the daguerreotype process. Likely made in the 1840s or 50s, the image reflects the rise of photography as a tool for documenting and constructing social identity. Consider the carefully arranged poses, the subjects’ attire, and the formal presentation of the image. In its time, this would have been a notable departure from painted portraits that were only available to the very wealthy. This daguerrotype democratizes the art of portraiture, making it accessible to a wider segment of the middle class. Note how the conventions of formal portraiture are here being translated into a new medium. To fully understand this image, we might research the history of photography studios and the changing social meanings of portraiture. The historian brings to light the complex interplay between technology, representation, and social status.