Dr. George Thompson Elliott (1827-1871) 1858 - 1869

This photograph of Dr. George Thompson Elliot was produced by Jeremiah Gurney in New York. Although undated, its photographic technique and the sitter’s dress suggest it was made in the 1860s, during the American Civil War. Gurney was one of New York’s most important photographers. His studio became known for portraits of political and military figures. The lack of affectation in this image is typical of photographic portraiture at the time. Gurney's image subtly communicates Elliott's professional status. The sitter’s carefully groomed beard and formal attire, including a dark wool suit and patterned tie, were all signs of middle-class respectability. At this time, the emerging middle class saw photographs as affordable symbols of their social standing. This portrait would have been displayed in the sitter's home. Historical research into the archives of photography studios like Gurney’s can help us better understand the cultural function of images. The careful display of social identity is crucial to the ongoing story of photography.