Untitled [portrait of an unidentified actress] 1869 - 1874

This portrait of an unknown actress was captured by Jeremiah Gurney, using the wet collodion process, a popular photographic technique in the mid-19th century. This process involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals, exposing it in a camera, and then developing it immediately. The resulting image, known as an ambrotype, is a unique positive. Notice the sepia tones, which are a result of the chemical development. Also, the slightly soft focus, typical of early photography, gives the image an ethereal quality. Consider too, the performative aspect of photography at this time. The actress would have needed to remain still for several seconds, a challenge that speaks to the labor involved in creating these images. Gurney was a prominent portrait photographer in New York, catering to a clientele that included actors, politicians, and other public figures. By understanding the materials, the making, and the context, we can appreciate how even a simple portrait like this one is a complex product of its time.