Untitled (Portrait of a Woman and a Boy) 1855

This daguerreotype, created in 1855 by an anonymous artist, captures a tender moment between a woman and a young boy. The composition, featuring the pair posed against a simple backdrop, was a popular choice for daguerreotype portraits. The image, housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, offers a glimpse into the lives of a 19th-century family. The detail of the boy's clothing and the woman's elaborate shawl provides insight into the fashion trends of the era.