Untitled [portrait of an unidentified actress] 1869 - 1874

Jeremiah Gurney's "Untitled [portrait of an unidentified actress]" is a carte de visite, a popular photographic format of the 19th century, depicting an unidentified actress. The photograph, produced between 1869 and 1874, captures the subject in a seated pose, her hand delicately resting on her chin. She is dressed in a fashionable gown, her hair elaborately styled. The image is a poignant reminder of the popularity of the theater in 19th century America and the enduring power of portraiture to preserve a fleeting moment in time.