Untitled [portrait of an unidentified man] 1858 - 1869

This portrait of an unknown man was made using the daguerreotype process, pioneered in France but brought to full flower in the United States by photographers like Jeremiah Gurney. Gurney was one of the first to open a photography studio in New York. His portraits were hugely popular, reflecting the growing middle class in the United States, and a rising interest in portraiture as a means of documenting family and self. Gurney's studio was known for its sophisticated clientele, his portraits were highly sought after by politicians, businessmen, and other prominent figures. The studio also produced portraits of ordinary citizens, like this one. Note the set design, from the patterned rug to the classical-style plinth. Photography in the United States was an industry as well as an art, and Gurney’s work offers us a glimpse of the social codes and aspirations of the time. To understand it better, we might consult studio records, newspaper advertisements, and even etiquette guides.