Untitled [bust portrait of a gentleman] 1852 - 1858

This daguerreotype, created by Jeremiah Gurney between 1852 and 1858, depicts a gentleman in a formal portrait. The sitter is posed in a three-quarter view, looking directly at the viewer. He wears a dark suit and a bowtie, suggesting a man of some standing. This intimate portrait, a popular format in the 19th century, is now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The small size and intricate detail characteristic of daguerreotype photography contribute to the unique intimacy of this work.