Wremanski 1869 - 1874

This is "Wremanski," a photograph by Jeremiah Gurney taken during the mid-19th century, a period marked by significant social and technological change. Gurney was one of America's leading photographers, capturing the likenesses of prominent figures. In this portrait, we see Wremanski, a man whose identity is now somewhat obscured by the passage of time. His gaze is direct, and his posture confident. Seated, with a cigarillo in hand, he seems every bit the mid-19th century gentleman. Yet, his slightly exotic name hints at a background, perhaps a heritage, that sits just outside the dominant Anglo-American narrative. During this era, photography democratized portraiture but it also reinforced social hierarchies through representation. It makes you wonder: what stories of immigration, assimilation, and identity are woven into Wremanski’s image and name? How did he wish to be seen, and how does that align with how we see him today? This portrait invites us to reflect on the complex layers of identity and representation in a rapidly changing world.