Clara Rolinson 1869 - 1874

This is a stereograph of Clara Rolinson, made by Jeremiah Gurney, a prominent New York photographer. The stereograph, popular in the mid-19th century, offered viewers a sense of depth, simulating three-dimensional vision. During the Victorian era, portraiture became more accessible to the middle class, reflecting a growing emphasis on individual identity and social status. Note Rolinson’s elaborate hat, adorned with feathers, and her carefully styled hair. These details speak to the conventions of feminine beauty and the performance of social roles expected of women during this period. Consider the gaze of the sitter. What does it suggest about her sense of self? Does it adhere to the conventions of the time, or does it offer a glimpse into a more complex subjectivity? This image captures a moment in the life of a woman whose story we can only imagine, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of identity and representation in the 19th century.