Untitled [portrait of a woman seated in the 'Gurney chair'] 1852 - 1858

This portrait of an unknown woman, seated in the ‘Gurney chair’, was made by Jeremiah Gurney, one of the foremost photographers in mid-19th century America. The artwork is a daguerreotype, an early photographic process which renders an incredible level of detail. The reflective surface of the daguerreotype gives it a unique, ethereal quality. It’s also incredibly fragile: each one is a unique, direct positive image on a silvered copper plate, developed with mercury vapor. This was cutting-edge technology at the time, expensive and requiring specialized knowledge. Looking at the portrait, you can appreciate how the materiality of the daguerreotype influences its appearance. It shows not just the woman, but also the ambitions of a rising middle class, eager to participate in modern forms of representation. Gurney wasn't just making images; he was offering access to a new kind of visual culture, one that democratized portraiture, which had previously been the domain of the wealthy. And in so doing, he made a very good living.