“Little Girl With A Gingham Hair Bow”
/George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of a “Little Girl With a Gingham Hair Bow”
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: In this portrait a little girl stands on a fringed, studio chair holding her hands in front of her. She looks up into the camera with an anticipatory gaze. She wears a white, simple, long-sleeved, calf-length, frock. The lace of her undergarment can been seen surrounding her right leg at the top of her dark leather boot. In her blonde, disheveled hair, she wears a gingham bow.
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 10.75 x 16.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: George Ross’ fringed studio chair has been used as a prop for this child to stand upon. This may account for the fact that this portrait is a bit out-of-focus.
Description, back: George Ross’ imprint appears in the center between two short flourishes.
Date:
Condition: Although a bit out-of-focus, this card is in good condition.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1995-633-45
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.