Dr. Alexander B. Mott (1826-1889) 1858 - 1869

Jeremiah Gurney created this portrait of Dr. Alexander B. Mott using the albumen print process, a popular photographic method in the mid-19th century. Photography during this era served as a powerful tool for constructing and reinforcing social identities. Gurney, a prominent photographer in New York, captured Mott, a distinguished surgeon, in a pose that exudes respectability and status. Consider the visual language of this image. The meticulous grooming, the tailored suit, and the confident gaze all speak to Mott's position within the upper echelons of society. How might this portrait have functioned to solidify Mott's professional image and social standing? During this time, access to portraiture was largely limited to the privileged. The very act of commissioning a photograph was a statement of affluence and social importance.