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

This portrait of a young girl, seated in what was known as the ‘Gurney chair,’ was made by Jeremiah Gurney, a prominent New York photographer. It's a daguerreotype, an early photographic process that yields a unique, highly detailed image on a silvered copper plate. The daguerreotype was a novel technology in the mid-19th century. Its allure lay in its seemingly objective capture of reality, a selling point that Gurney shrewdly exploited. The process involved meticulous preparation of the silvered plate, lengthy exposure times, and careful chemical development. The final image, fragile and light-sensitive, was then sealed under glass and encased in a protective housing. Gurney ran a successful studio catering to New York’s middle and upper classes. As photography became more accessible, it offered a new means of memorializing loved ones, and projecting social status. Gurney’s skill lay not only in mastering the technical aspects of the daguerreotype, but also in crafting a compelling image that reflected his clients' aspirations. This portrait, with its delicate tones and carefully arranged composition, embodies the Victorian era’s fascination with sentimentality and material culture. By emphasizing the process behind the portrait, we can better understand its cultural significance, challenging the traditional boundaries between art and craft.