Untitled [boy] 1852 - 1858

This is an undated daguerreotype of a boy in military dress, made by Jeremiah Gurney, a prominent New York photographer. Daguerreotypes, early forms of photography, were luxury items. The young boy's attire speaks volumes about the social values of the time in the United States. Military service was often associated with civic virtue, patriotism, and honor. Presenting a child in this manner suggests a desire to instill these values early on. But it also speaks to the romanticizing of warfare and the military life. The daguerreotype process itself was groundbreaking. Gurney was not just a photographer; he was an entrepreneur, and his studio was an institution. In these early days, photography studios played a crucial role in shaping public perception and disseminating images. To fully understand this image, one could delve into 19th-century American history, examining military records, fashion trends, and the biographies of individuals connected to Gurney's studio. Art is never created in a vacuum; its meaning is always contingent on the society and institutions that shape it.