Untitled (Portrait of a Man Seated on top of a Horse-Drawn Carriage) 1859

This daguerreotype, *Untitled (Portrait of a Man Seated on top of a Horse-Drawn Carriage)* (1859) by an unknown artist, captures a snapshot of 19th-century rural life. The image depicts a man, seated atop a horse-drawn carriage, laden with a large number of milk jugs, likely delivering dairy products to customers. The detail of the milk jugs suggests a focus on daily life and local industry, while the simple setting speaks to the realities of rural transportation. The daguerreotype's small size (10.5 × 8 cm), typical of this medium, further underlines its intimate and personal nature. The image is part of The Art Institute of Chicago's collection, providing a glimpse into the past and a testament to the power of photography to capture everyday moments in history.