Engle, Jennie (b. & d. dates to be determined)
/Bryan R. Johnson’s Portrait Photograph of Jennie Engle
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 of 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 and continued working in Petaluma at least until 1867. (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:
Names: Jennie Engle
Description: This early carte de visite portrays Jennie Engle standing with her left hand resting on a balloon-back chair as her right hand falls gracefully to her side. She wears a form-fitting bodice with drop shoulders and wide bell sleeves. The fullness of her large hoop skirt is undoubtedly due to a cage crinoline, an undergarment typical of the time period. Her skirt is unadorned with the exception of large triangles of fabric along the edge of her hem which appear to be of a different fabric. Evidence of an under blouse are apparent in her white lace collar and large, white, lace, cuffs. Her hair is center-parted and simply pulled back behind her head. She wears large drop earrings, and a dark choker which ends in what appears to be a large locket.
Biographical Note:
Family Affiliation: According to the handwritten inscription on the back of the carte de visite, Jennie Engle was the “wife of Capt. Engle”.
Bibliography:
THE PHOTOGRAPH:
Format / Size: carte de visite, size N/A
Medium: albumen photographic print mounted on cardstock
Description, front: The backdrop of this carte de visit is an elaborately painted landscape with a tree on the right and a shoreline body of water on the left. The subject stands on a carpet with a medallion pattern, and to the lower left is a checker board design which may be part of the painted backdrop. A large upholstered balloon backed chair typical of the period is has been used as a prop.
Description, back: Handwritten along the top of this carte de visite in black ink in cursive is, “Mrs Jennie Engle wife of Capt. Engle”. In the center is Bryan Johnson’s imprint. Along the bottom edge is written, “Negatives preserved, from which extra Copies can be had at less than regular prices.”.
Date: December 1862 to 1867
Condition: All four corners of this carte de visite have been clipped. Otherwise, this portrait is in good condition.
Owner: Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 1992-IDI-07-p12-p18
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.