Untitled (Portrait of a Seated Woman)
1860
Medium
Daguerreotype
Dimensions
8.1 × 7 cm (3 1/4 × 2 13/16 in.); Frame: 12.2 × 11 × 1.5 cm (4 13/16 × 4 3/8 × 5/8 in.); Plate: 8.3 × 7 cm (3 1/4 × 2 3/4 in.)
Classification
portrait
Department
Photography and Media
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
249944
Art Historical Context
**Untitled (Portrait of a Seated Woman), 1860** This intimate daguerreotype captures a seated woman in a quiet, poised moment, created by an unknown maker around 1860. Measuring just 8.1 × 7 cm on its silver-plated copper plate—small enough to fit in a pocket or locket—it exemplifies the portable treasures of early photography. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's and Media department, this untitled portrait reflects the era's fascination with preserving personal likenesses for loved ones. Daguerre, patented by Louis Daguerre in 183, were the first publicly available photographic process...