Untitled (Group Portrait of Men and Women) 1855

John Adams Whipple's "Untitled (Group Portrait of Men and Women)," an 1855 daguerreotype, showcases a group of eight individuals, likely friends or family, posed in a formal setting. The intricate detail of their clothing, the presence of a book, and the arrangement of the figures point to a portrait of the Victorian era. Whipple, a pioneering photographer, was known for his innovative techniques and his contributions to the development of the daguerreotype process. This intimate portrait, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, offers a glimpse into the lives of everyday individuals captured in a moment of time.