Ivancovich, Clara Belle Sproul Jewell (1858-1939)(4 of 4)
/E. R. Healy Ground Floor Gallery’s Portrait Photograph of
Clara Belle Sproul Jewell Ivancovich
THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:
EDWIN RUTHVEN HEALY (1856-1923) and ADA “ADDIE” GOSSAGE HEALY (1860-1923). Edwin and Ada Healy were a married couple, and both were listed in California directories as a photographer. It has been assumed they worked together; however, ascertaining their division of labor is problematic. The “E. R. Healy Gound Floor Gallery” was opened in 1896 at 816 Main Street, Petaluma, California. It was later relocated to 818 Main Street and sold in June, 1905. In 1906 the Healys moved to Berkeley, California. (To view all portraits in this collection taken at the E. R. Healy Ground Floor Gallery and for additional information on Edwin and Ada Healy, click on their names in blue above.)
THE SITTER:
Name: Clara Belle Sproul Jewell Ivancovich
Description: Ivancovich sits in a wooden chair and poses as though she has just turned her body to attend to someone requesting her attention. She looks up with a stern face that communicates authority and feigned patience. She is fashionably and smartly attired in a black ensemble meant to define her as a wealthy, sophisticated, grande dame. Her dress is tightly cinched by a belt adorned with a large, rectangular, silver buckle. Her leg-of-mutton sleeves, also known as gigot sleeves, are especially elaborate. This type of sleeve features a voluminous gathering of fabric at the upper arm which tapers dramatically to a tight fit from elbow to wrist. This style was a statement of power similar to the large shoulder pads worn by women in the 1970s. Around her neck, draping to her waist, is an elaborate, black, fur stole and a narrow, striped scarf that encircles her neck, gathers at her throat in a small knot, and tucks neatly into her belt aligned symmetrically with its buckle. A magnificent hat crowns her ensemble. It perches atop her head and features a half-flat, half-upturned brim; flat crown; and a flamboyant arrangement of black ostrich feathers. Ivancovich’s gloved hands rest in her lap along with what appears to be a wallet.
Biographical Note: Clara Belle was born in 1853 in Canton, Illinois and moved with her family to Petaluma at age ten. She graduated from Petaluma High School in 1877 and may have then attended the “Normal Classes” conducted at Petaluma High School which prepared high school graduates to be primary teachers. She was a skilled musician, composer, journalist, playwright, novelist, and poet. She sang in the Methodist Church Choir, taught piano lessons in her home, and wrote the anthem for the San Francisco District Federated Women’s Clubs. Originals and early copies of several of Clara’s literary creations are housed at the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, including her journals, her novella Adele La Croix, and several poems. Also housed at the PHL&M is her autograph book, which is signed by many of her classmates several who eventually became prominent Petalumans, and a copy of the anthology Singing Years which contains five of her poems. (See her bibliography below for access to digital copies of several of these artifacts.) Unfortunately, copies of some of her works have not been found, including a one-act play entitled Discretion and a pageant performed at Petaluma’s 1923 Butter & Egg Days Celebration entitled Princess Petaluma. As a long-time member of the Petaluma Woman’s Club, Clara Belle contributed news of the club in an Argus-Courier column and served as chairwoman of the Literary and Choral Committee and as President in 1917 and 1918.
Family Affiliation: Clara Belle was the daughter of Petaluma pioneers, Roxanne Cordelia King Sproul (1826-1908) and John Sproul. Roxanne was a landlady and early suffragist, and John was a Civil War Veteran and construction contractor. On October 30, 1878, Clara Belle married Petaluman, John Elliott Jewell (1852-1932). The marriage ended in divorce in 1897, and in 1898, at the age of 40, she married the Petaluma medical doctor, George Ivancovich (1850-1924).
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: cabinet card, approximately 9 x 13.25 cm
Medium: matte collodion print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: Curiously, an informal, simple, landscape background was selected to complement this sitter’s portrait.
Description, back: Handwritten in cursive in black ink is, “Clara B. Ivancovich (nee Sproul) sister of Mary Jane Sproul mother of Luella M. Fox”. There is an arrow under “Mary” which designates her as the mother of Luella M. Fox.
Date: The Healy Studio was operational between 1896-1906.
Condition: This portrait is heavily stained on both the front and back. On the front side, most of the damage appears on the edges of the card. There are several black dots on the top right of the portrait.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2022-791-01
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.