Portrait of a Woman 1864 - 1865

This portrait of an unidentified woman was made by Samuel A. Thomas, an American photographer active in the mid-19th century. The image, with its small dimensions, is typical of the carte-de-visite format popular at the time. In the image, the woman stands gracefully, holding a tea cup and saucer. The presence of tea implies a certain level of sophistication and economic standing, but also resonates with the history of colonial trade and labor. While the image superficially mimics the conventions of portraiture for middle-class white women, it also subtly challenges those norms by presenting a Black woman in a role of quiet dignity. Consider the possible narratives woven into this image: resistance, resilience, and self-assertion in a society marked by racial inequality. What do you see in her eyes?