Untitled (Portrait of Seated Man with his Arms Crossed) 1848

This daguerreotype, created in 1848 by an anonymous artist, is a portrait of a seated man with his arms crossed. The image captures a sense of formality and composure, characteristic of early photographic portraiture. The man is dressed in a dark suit and has a neatly trimmed beard. The oval-shaped image is framed in a simple gilt frame, highlighting the subject's presence. This daguerreotype, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the mid-19th century, capturing the essence of individual identity through the emerging art of photography.