Untitled (Portrait of a Boy Holding a Mortar) 1858

This 1858 daguerreotype, housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, depicts a young man in a formal suit, holding a mortar and pestle. The anonymous artist captures the sitter’s solemn expression, likely referencing the seriousness of his occupation as a pharmacist or apothecary. The detail of the mortar and pestle, a symbol of alchemy and medicine, is a testament to the technical skill of the artist and the prominence of these practices in the 19th century. The image’s small size and intricate details, characteristic of daguerreotypes, provide a glimpse into the intimate portraiture practices of the time.