Untitled (Portrait of Seated Woman) 1853 - 1899

This anonymous daguerreotype, titled "Untitled (Portrait of Seated Woman)," dates from 1853 to 1899. The work depicts a young woman, seated and gazing directly at the viewer, wearing a shawl over a patterned dress. The image is housed in an oval frame with a gold-leaf border, a common design of the 19th century. This type of portrait, taken in a studio, was a popular form of portraiture in the mid-19th century, capturing the likeness of individuals for posterity. The Art Institute of Chicago houses this delicate and intimate portrait, highlighting the artistry and social significance of early photography.