Untitled [portrait of a gentleman and a young girl] c. 1844 - 1852

"Untitled [portrait of a gentleman and a young girl]" is a daguerreotype, a photographic process invented in the 1830s, created by Jeremiah Gurney between 1844 and 1852. The artwork depicts a seated man with his hand resting on the shoulder of a young girl, both looking directly at the viewer. The image is presented in an oval frame, framed by a gold mat, highlighting the subjects in a classic and formal composition. The image is currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. This intimate portrait exemplifies the popularity of daguerreotypes, which captured individuals in their most authentic moments.