Untitled (Portrait of Seated Woman with Book) 1855

This 1855 daguerreotype, "Untitled (Portrait of Seated Woman with Book)", is a striking example of the portraiture popular during the mid-19th century. The anonymous artist captures a young woman in a formal pose, her attire and the presence of a book suggesting a refined and intellectual subject. The image is framed with a decorative gold and red mat, typical for daguerreotypes of the period, which further elevates the subject's importance. This delicate image, housed in a small case, reveals the intimate nature of daguerreotypes, often commissioned as personal mementos.