Untitled 1860s

This anonymous 1860s carte-de-visite photograph, currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, depicts a family portrait. The image shows a man in a military uniform, likely a high-ranking official, seated with his wife and child standing behind him. The composition emphasizes the man's authority through his prominent placement and formal attire, while his wife and child stand more casually, suggesting a familial dynamic. The detail of the "carte-de-visite" format, popular in the 19th century, highlights the social and personal nature of this portrait.