“Pensive Couple”

Hugh S. Anderson’s Portrait Photograph of a “Pensive Couple”

THE PHOTOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO:

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HUGH S. ANDERSON  was born in 1826 in Scotland and died in 1900 in San Francisco, California. He was active in Petaluma as early as January 1872, and he departed Petaluma in December 1873. His Sunbeam Gallery was located, “At the Old Stand, Opposite H. C. Taft & Co.’s”. (For additional information on this photographer and to view all portraits by him in the collection, click on his name in blue above.)

THE SITTERS:

Names: Unidentified

Description: The pose and demeanor of this couple are unusual and make it difficult to identify their relationship. The sitters may be newlyweds, but most wedding portraits from this time are more formal. It is possible that they are brother and sister. Both direct an almost confrontational gaze at the viewer, and this creates a disturbing although intriguing composition. The gentleman sits with complete confidence, dressed in a fashionable jacket with contrasting collar and a double breasted vest festooned with a large, elaborate watch chain. He rests his arm on a round topped table and sits on a wooden chair. The young lady strikes a fashionably pensive pose with her index finger resting on the side of her face. She wears as a crown an elaborate braided hair piece decorated with white flowers. She rests her elbow on the man’s leg in a gesture unconventional for the time. Her large-link, heavy, black necklace that is often identified as mourning jewelry adds an additional perplexing element to this double portrait.

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

Bibliography:

THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  carte de visite

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

Description, front: This carte de visite portrays an unidentified couple. Their pose is unconventional. They are both seated; he in a chair, and she on a lower stool. Behind them is a backdrop depicting a center column, and to the right on the bottom can be seen an architectural molding detail.

Description, back: Hugh Anderson’s imprint is on the center of the back of this carte de visite. Anderson created several versions of his Petaluma imprint. A simpler, possibly earlier, version appears here. It is printed in black ink and includes only three lines of text, each in a different font. Horizontally flipped, elaborate flourishes surround the text.

Date: January 1872 to December 1873

Condition: This carte de visite is in good condition.

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.