Untitled [portrait of an unidentified woman] 1869 - 1874

Jeremiah Gurney created this photograph of an unknown woman in the 19th century. The sitter wears a prominent bow, a symbol that winds its way through history with shifting meanings. Initially a mere fastening, bows evolved into potent symbols of connection and commitment. Think of Psyche, in the throes of love for Eros, often depicted with butterfly wings—a symbol of the soul—delicately fastened with bows. Here, in this portrait, the bow adorns the sitter's neck, less a symbol of binding love than a marker of societal expectations. Consider how bows reappear in other contexts: a ribbon tied around a gift, a gesture of goodwill, or a decorative element on a child's dress. Each use subtly imbues the bow with new connotations. In this photograph, the bow, juxtaposed with the sitter's somewhat melancholic gaze, perhaps hints at the complex emotional landscape of women in the Victorian era. The image is a powerful echo, resonating with our collective memory. The bow, seemingly simple, becomes a poignant reminder of the ever-evolving dance between personal expression and cultural expectation.