Pauline Lucca (1841-1908) 1869 - 1874

This stereoscopic photograph by Jeremiah Gurney depicts the famous operatic soprano Pauline Lucca. The image, taken between 1869 and 1874, captures Lucca in a formal portrait setting. Lucca's elegant attire, including a tiara, pearls, and a black choker, reflects her status as a celebrated performer. The photograph's detail and realistic portrayal highlight Gurney's skill as a photographer. Gurney was a well-known photographer in New York City who specialized in stereoscopic photography, a technique that produces a three-dimensional effect when viewed through a stereoscope. The image, now in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, offers a glimpse into the life of a renowned opera singer in the 19th century.