Untitled (Unidentified Woman) c. 1860

This anonymous daguerreotype, "Untitled (Unidentified Woman)", dating back to c. 1860, captures a seated woman in a simple dark dress, her hands resting in her lap. The detail of her lace cuffs and the slight smile on her face suggest a portrait intended for personal use, a popular practice during the mid-19th century. This delicate image, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, is a poignant glimpse into the lives of ordinary people during this period, highlighting the enduring appeal of portraiture as a means of capturing personal identity.