“Standing Gentleman Attired in a Long Sack Coat”
/Bryan R. Johnson’s Portrait photograph of
“Standing Gentleman Attired in a Long Sack Coat”
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 a portrait of a very handsome, unidentified, young gentleman. Below his fashionably long sack jacket, he wears a matching vest and white shirt. His dark bow tie flares off to his right, resting on his lapel. In a casual but dignified standing poise, he rests his right hand on Johnson’s carved studio chair. The gentleman’s hair is carefully oiled and combed to the back of his head, and he sports a well-groomed chevron mustache.
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation:
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: This portrait contains a painted backdrop seen in several of Johnson’s other Petaluma portraits. It was obviously selected for more formal portraits as it depicts a grand, draped, column on the left and a distant landscape on the lower right. Johnson’s studio floor with its large checkerboard tiling is also visible in the composition.
Description, back: Johnson’s imprint has been stamped several times on the back of this card. All the stamps are faint with the exception of the one in the center. It may be that this imprint is one of the first Johnson used while working in Petaluma. Along the bottom edge is written, “Negatives preserved, from which extra Copies can be had at less than regular prices.”.
Date: April 1863-1864
Condition: This card is heavily soiled and stained.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2017-92-01
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