Untitle [portrait of an unidentified woman] 1869 - 1874

This untitled portrait of an unidentified woman was created by Jeremiah Gurney between 1869 and 1874. The image, a small carte de visite, captures the sitter in a formal pose, her gaze directed slightly away from the viewer. Gurney, a prominent photographer active in New York City, employed a simple yet effective style, emphasizing the sitter’s features through the use of light and shadow. The image's plain background and direct, unsmiling pose were hallmarks of early portraiture, highlighting the sitter's social status and respectability. This intimate portrait offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary individuals during the late 19th century, showcasing the evolution of photography as a popular medium for documenting personal identity.