Edwin Booth (1833-1893) 1869 - 1874

This carte de visite, a popular photographic format of the 19th century, depicts the renowned American actor Edwin Booth. Created by Jeremiah Gurney between 1869 and 1874, the photograph captures Booth in a formal pose, his somber expression reflecting the tragic nature of his most famous role, Hamlet. The image, part of the Minneapolis Institute of Art collection, offers a glimpse into the world of 19th-century theater and the enduring legacy of a celebrated performer.