[Unknown Subject] 1860s

This carte-de-visite portrait, taken by renowned photographer George Gardner Rockwood in the 1860s, captures an unidentified man in a formal pose. The man, dressed in a suit and tie, sits with his left hand resting on the armrest of a chair. The image, a prime example of the popular 19th-century photographic format, showcases Rockwood's mastery of detail and composition. Rockwood’s use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and realism, while the subject's stern expression adds a touch of formality to the composition. The image is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.