Johnson, Bryan R. (born 1834)
/Bryan R. Johnson’s photographic Self Portrait
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: Bryan R. Johnson
Description: Johnson has chosen to portray himself here in a softened, vignetted style; attired in a notched lapel jacket, high collared white shirt and simple bow tie. His hair is parted on the left with thick, waves swept to the right. His face is bearded and his dark eyes stare intently to his left.
Biographical Note: For additional information on Bryan R. Johnson, and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue at the top of this page.
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography: Bryan R. Johnson
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This is an early carte de visite which contains a diminutive image of the sitter’s head and shoulders. Along the bottom edge of this card is handwritten in cursive in brown ink, “B. R. Johnson”.
Description, back: Surrounded by an undulating line boarder in the center of the back of this carte de visite is Johnson’s imprint: “From B. R. Johnson’s Premium Gallery, Phoenix Block, Petaluma.”. At the bottom of the card is printed, “Negatives preserved, from which extra Copies can be had at less than regular prices.”. Along the left edge of the back of the card is handwritten in cursive in brown ink, “B. R. Johnson”.
Date: April 1863-1864
Condition: There is slight foxing throughout both sides of this carte de visite.
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.