photography, gelatin-silver-print
portrait
character portrait
photography
gelatin-silver-print
portrait drawing
portrait art
realism
Dimensions: 3 11/16 x 2 1/4 in. (9.37 x 5.72 cm) (image)4 1/8 x 2 7/16 in. (10.48 x 6.19 cm) (mount)
Copyright: Public Domain
This is a photograph of Bret Harte made by Jeremiah Gurney, though its exact date remains unknown. Gurney was a prominent New York photographer, and Harte a celebrated author known for his stories of the American West. The image captures Harte in a composed, yet evocative pose. It prompts us to consider the cultural narratives of the 19th century. Harte's work often romanticized the Gold Rush era, shaping perceptions of the West. Yet, these narratives often overshadowed the experiences of marginalized groups, including Native Americans and Chinese immigrants, whose lives were deeply impacted by westward expansion. Reflecting on this photograph, we might ask ourselves: Whose stories are told and whose are left out? How do images like these contribute to the construction of identity and memory, and how do they shape our understanding of the past?
Comments
An important part of New York City-based photographer Jeremiah Gurney’s business was making small-size portrait photographs. Beginning in the 1850s, cartes de visite (calling cards, or visiting cards) photographs were popular. They were often made with a four-lensed camera, capturing four of the same image at once. They were printed eight on a sheet and each photograph was mounted on a thick cardboard paper sized 2.5 in. by 4 in. Cartes de visite were shared among families and friends, and mostly were stored in photographic albums. However, by the early 1880s, cartes de visite were replaced by larger cartes de imperiale (cabinet card), also albumen prints, mounted on cardboard backs measuring 4.5 in. by 6.5 in. Because of their size, cartes de imperiale would have been visible from across the room. As such, they were often displayed using frames and small stands.
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