“Seated Stoic Woman”
/Bryan R. Johnson’s Portrait photograph, “Seated Stoic Woman”
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
BRYAN R. JOHNSON was born c. 1834 in New York State, and his death date is unidentified. After working as a photographer in several California cities, Johnson moved to Petaluma and beginning in December of 1862 co-partnered with Edward P. Butler at the Ambrotype and Photographic Gallery on Petaluma’s Phoenix Block. In April 1863, Johnson took sole possession of the gallery and renamed it “Johnson’s Premier Pioneer Photographic Gallery”. In 1864, he moved his studio twice within the community finally settling in the Doyle Building on Main Street. Johnson sold his studio to William Henry Lentz in October 1866. (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 is an exceptionally masterful and intriguing portrait of a Petaluma pioneer. This unidentified woman sits with presence and poise, wearing a simple, dignified dress, which is a rustic attempt to emulate current fashion. Her full skirt, supported by numerous petticoats, is tightly cinched at her waist by a simple belt. She wears a busked corset which shapes her torso, encourages her upright posture and flattens her bosom. The dress fabric is drawn over the corset in a fan front style meant to minimize the waistline. The loose bishop sleeves narrow at her wrists and end in wide, crisp, white cuffs. The color and texture of the cuffs are repeated in her angled collar. The sitter’s hair has been parted in the center and gathered into a snood that can be seen at the crown of her head and below her left ear. This sitter’s face and hands tell the story of a woman accustomed to hard work, and her demeanor portrays a soul of quiet resignation and stoic dignity. PDF of “Seated Stoic Woman”
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This unidentified woman sits in a high-backed, armed, and tufted balloon chair. Behind her is a painted backdrop depicting a lush river scene, and beneath her is geometrically patterned flooring.
Description, back: In the center of the back of the card surrounded by an undulating line is the photographer’s imprint: “From B. R. Johnson’s Photographic Establishment, Doyle’s Building, Main Street, Petaluma.” Above this has been placed a two cent revenue stamp. Along the bottom wedge is written, “Negatives preserved from which extra copies can be had at less than regular prices.”.
Date: The United States Internal Revenue tax stamp on the back of this carte de visite documents that it was created between August 1864 and August 1866.
Condition: The top corners of this carte de visite have been clipped; there is a tear on the top center edge; there are pin holes in the bottom center; and there are stains throughout the top quarter of the composition.
Owner: Private Collector, 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.