Untitled (Portrait of Woman with Hat) 1850 - 1899

This anonymous carte de visite, dating from 1850 to 1899, depicts a woman in a dark hat and a buttoned jacket. Her pose and the photographer’s use of lighting emphasize her features. The carte de visite format, popular in the mid-19th century, allowed people to share portraits of themselves and their loved ones. The inscription in the lower right corner suggests the photograph was made by L.W. Cook of Boston. The image is now held by the Art Institute of Chicago.