Untitled (Portrait of a Girl) 1841 - 1842

This daguerreotype, likely from the 1840s by Robert Cornelius, captures the essence of a young girl. Her solemn expression and long dark hair, parted in the center, evoke a sense of introspective innocence. Consider the power of hair as a symbol throughout history. From ancient goddesses like Isis, whose unbound hair signified power, to the Pre-Raphaelite fascination with flowing locks symbolizing untamed beauty, hair carries immense cultural weight. In Victorian times, a girl's long hair was associated with purity and domesticity, as seen in countless paintings and photographs. The girl’s intense gaze creates a link to the past, as it reflects a universal human experience of childhood. It also draws upon the psychological power of portraiture, reminiscent of funerary art. Like a motif in a symphony, it resurfaces, reminding us of shared human experiences across time.