Clara Nilsson 1869 - 1874

Jeremiah Gurney's stereograph, titled "Clara Nilsson," presents us with a double portrait of a woman, likely taken in the 1870s in New York. Gurney's studio was known for capturing the likenesses of prominent figures, and this photograph offers us a glimpse into the visual culture of the time. Clara Nilsson is dressed in a light-colored, frilly dress, complete with jewelry, and her hair carefully styled. The photograph embodies the aesthetic conventions of the era, yet there is a palpable sense of presence in Nilsson's gaze, which deviates slightly to the side, that hints at individuality. As photography democratized portraiture, it offered new ways to construct and disseminate images of the self, particularly for women who were increasingly engaging in public life. What does it mean to present oneself in such a manner? How do we negotiate the tension between societal expectations and the desire for self-expression? This image invites us to reflect on the complexities of identity in a rapidly changing world.