“Standing Young Girl With a Sprig of Flowers in Her Hair”
/George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of a
“Standing Young girl with a sprig of flowers in her hair”
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: This young girl, although appearing a bit apprehensive, strikes a graceful pose standing next to a fringed studio chair. Her hair is center-parted, and her shoulder-length curls are restrained by a thin, dark headband. Below the headband, on her right side, a sprig of flowers has been placed amidst her curls. She wears a dark, thin choker and a round brooch which connects the ends of her white lace neck ribbon. Her ensemble is atypical and may very well be a homemade design. Over a calf-length skirt trimmed in three rows of dark ribbon, she wears a long-sleeved overdress which is gathered at the waist, and a wide, dark, lace, trim has been applied to its deep, four-point hemline. She wears white leggings and dark, leather, lace-up boots.
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: In this portrait a young girl stands in front of a blank wall. She has placed her right hand on the arm of the fringed studio chair, over which a length of cloth has been draped.
Description, back: George Ross’ imprint appears in red ink in the center.
Date: This is one of George Ross’ earlier portraits, most probably created sometime between 1865 and 1875.
Condition: This card is slightly soiled throughout.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2022-946-02
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.