Ellsworth Eliot 1852 - 1858

This daguerreotype, created by Jeremiah Gurney between 1852 and 1858, depicts Ellsworth Eliot. The image showcases Eliot in a formal pose, wearing a dark suit and a bow tie. The daguerreotype is housed in a decorative case with a velvet interior and a gold-colored frame. The small size of the image, measuring just 3 1/2 x 2 11/16 inches, is typical of daguerreotypes, which were a popular form of portrait photography in the mid-19th century. Gurney's work, as seen in this example, is a testament to the artistry and detail that could be achieved with this early photographic process.