Jenny Elitz Van Zandt 1869 - 1874

This is a photograph of Jenny Elitz Van Zandt by Jeremiah Gurney. It’s difficult to date exactly, but it would have been made in the mid to late 19th century. Gurney was one of New York’s leading photographers at the time. He was renowned for his portraits of prominent figures, and here he captures Jenny Elitz Van Zandt in a style that reflects both the conventions and the subtle challenges to gender norms of the era. Van Zandt's dress and jewelry indicate a certain social status, and her composed demeanor is typical of portraiture at this time. But her direct gaze and the book she holds suggest an engagement with intellect and knowledge, attributes not always associated with women in that period. We can speculate about Van Zandt’s identity, her family life, her social standing, or her personal aspirations. The photograph serves as both a record and an interpretation, offering a glimpse into the complex intersections of gender, class, and identity in 19th-century society. It prompts us to consider the stories of women like Van Zandt, whose lives may have been shaped by both the opportunities and the constraints of their time.