“Young Woman With an Elaborate Coiffure and Simple Choker”
/George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of a
“Young Woman with an Elaborate Coiffure and Simple Choker”
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
GEORGE COLVAINE ROSS was born February 12, 1832 in Edinburgh, Scotland and died in 1893 at the age of 60 in Petaluma, California. Unlike the other 19th century Petaluma photographers, Ross lived and worked in Petaluma for many years. He arrived in Petaluma in 1855, and in 1862 he began his profession as a photographer, moving his studio within the city several times as noted on his various carte de visite and cabinet card imprints. In 1869 he was also part of a short-lived, photographic studio partnership with Elon D. Ormsby on Main Street in Petaluma. It was reported Ross stopped working as a photographer soon after he became an invalid in 1888. Ross was among the most prolific Petaluma portrait photographers, and his work was of exceptionally high quality. Ross was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park. (For additional information on this photographer and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue above.)
THE SITTER:
Name: Unidentified
Description: This unidentified, petite, young woman is dressed in a front-buttoned, fitted bodice which is topped with a lace collar. The sitter’s narrow, black, ribbon choker is highlighted with a small, gold, bow-shaped brooch. Her elaborate coiffure with its full crown and back curls is adorned above her forehead with a dark, shiny bow, and falling below her bow are soft ringlet curls adorning her forehead. The soft lighting, demure lowered gaze, and oval matte create an intimate, lovely, feminine portrait. Curiously, there is something in her alluring charm and slightly disheveled hair that evoke today’s Gothic, Steampunk aesthetic.
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This portrait is contained within a vertical oval.
Description, back: One of George Ross’ earliest imprints appears on the back of this card. It is surrounded by a boarder of ivy leaves.
Date: Between the late 1860s and early 1870s. Although one of Ross’ earliest Petaluma portraits, this example illustrates his skills as an exceptionally fine photographer.
Condition: There is light foxing throughout both the back and front sides of this carte de visite. All four corners of this card have been clipped.
Owner: Private collection, digital copy by permission
Reproduction rights: The Petaluma Museum Association makes no assertions as to ownership of any original copyrights to the digitized images here reproduced. These images are intended for personal or research use only. Any other kind of use, including, but not limited to commercial or scholarly publication in any medium or format, public exhibition, or use online or in a web site, may be subject to additional restrictions including but not limited to the copyrights held by parties other than the Association. USERS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for determining the existence of such rights and for obtaining any permissions and/or paying associated fees necessary for the proposed use.