Untitled [portrait of a mother and child] 1852 - 1858

Jeremiah Gurney’s 19th-century daguerreotype, “Untitled [portrait of a mother and child]”, depicts a mother and her young daughter. The mother is seated, dressed in a dark gown with her hand resting on her lap, while her daughter sits beside her in a plaid dress. This intimate portrait, made between 1852 and 1858, exemplifies the popular use of daguerreotypes in the mid-19th century for capturing family moments and preserving memories. The image’s focus on the emotional connection between mother and child, and the intimate composition typical of family portraits of the era, underscores the enduring power of photography to document human relationships.