Untitled 1858 - 1869

This is an undated portrait of an unknown man by Jeremiah Gurney, one of the leading photographers in 19th-century America. In its time, photography studios like Gurney’s played a crucial role in shaping social identity and commemoration. Looking at this image, consider the sitter’s clothing and hairstyle: these are visual markers of middle-class respectability in the mid-1800s. The carte-de-visite format—small card photographs—became wildly popular, functioning almost like today's social media profile pictures. They allowed for the mass distribution of one's image, reinforcing social networks. Gurney's New York studio was renowned, attracting a clientele eager to participate in this new form of social representation. These portraits offer historians a valuable lens through which to examine the prevailing social norms, class distinctions, and the evolving concept of self in a rapidly changing American society. Further research into photographic archives, social registers, and fashion history can enrich our understanding.