“Young Gentleman Wearing a Polka-Dotted Vest”
/George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of a “Young Gentleman Wearing a polka-dotted vest”
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 nineteenth 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 that Ross stopped working as a photographer soon after he developed a disability 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: Unknown
Description: In this portrait, a young man is seated in a one-armed, fringed, studio chair. With a serious gaze, he looks directly at the viewer. His dark hair is combed back away from his face, and his mustache, goatee and beard are carefully groomed. Beneath his jacket he wears an eye-catching, dark vest decorated with light-colored polka dots. Fastened to the vest’s top button is a looping metallic chain.
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: The background of this carte de visite is a painted backdrop depicting an architectural column on the left and wall paneling on the right.
Description, back: On the center back of this carte de visite is a later version of George Ross’ imprint.
Date: 1870s or 1880s
Condition: The front of this carte de visite is in good condition; the back has several small brown blotches.
Owner: Pete Vilmur 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