William E. Van Wyck 1866

This carte de visite portrait, taken by Jeremiah Gurney in 1866, depicts William E. Van Wyck, a muscular man in a simple loincloth. The image highlights Van Wyck's physique, likely taken for a personal record or to showcase his strength. Gurney, a prominent photographer in New York, is known for his portraits and was a skilled practitioner of the tintype process. This photograph serves as a document of the photographic practices and societal interests of the mid-19th century, capturing the fascination with physical prowess and individual documentation.