Untitled [portrait of a girl seated on a settee] 1852 - 1858

This is an early photograph of a young girl seated on a settee, made by Jeremiah Gurney. Gurney was a prominent American photographer working in the mid-19th century. In this period photography was becoming more accessible, but still remained a privilege for the middle and upper classes. The image is small and intimate, presented in a decorative case. The girl, likely from a well-to-do family, is formally posed, yet her gaze holds a directness that transcends the conventions of portraiture. Consider the girl's attire and setting, they speak to the era's social codes and gender expectations. Photography like this one provided a means of preserving likeness and memory, it also offers us a glimpse into the construction of identity and representation in the 19th century. What does this portrait tell us about childhood, class, and the role of photography in shaping our perceptions of ourselves and others?