Unidentified Woman 2005-115-49

George Ross’ Portrait Photograph of an Unidentified Woman

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: Unknown

Description: Carte de visite of a young unidentified woman standing. Her hair is parted down the middle and pulled back into sausage curls. She is wearing a dress with a hoop skirt, and one hand is resting on a studio prop chair. The woman's hoop skirt, and the two line border with different widths date this card between 1864-1869.

Biographical Note:

Family Affiliation:

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THE PHOTOGRAPH:

Format / Size:  carte de visite, approximately 6.25 x 10.5 cm

Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock

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Description, back:

Date:

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Owner:  Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 2005-115-49

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