Painted portraits rather than photographs were still regarded by many as the more formal, proper, and perhaps elegant medium for presenting oneself or loved one. Enlarged photographic prints, sometimes referred to as solar enlargements, worked over by the photographic artist or his assistants, sought to bridge that gap. This is one of the better results we have seen. The subject is a line-officer shown seated in semi-profile wearing his single-breasted officer’s frock coat with shoulder strap visible, as is the narrow stripe on the seam of his dark trousers. He is bare-headed, with his hair oiled, and long side-burns, but otherwise clean-shaven. He rests his right forearm on a narrow, marble-top table, looks contemplatively off to the viewer’s left and has tucked his left hand into an unbuttoned portion of his coat lapel ala Napoleon. The photographer allowed enough width to show his crossed legs full length. Behind him is a paneled wall, a painted studio backdrop, with curtain drawn back at the right rear, and the floor is covered in a geometric and floral patterned rug.

On the enlargement the artist added some color, but did not overdo it, touching some of the carpet designs with thin greens, reds and whites, and adding a touch of color and white highlights to the officer’s face and hands. Enough detail was preserved in the enlargement and the artist’s treatment, however, to show his buttons have rims indicating they were general staff or state buttons and to well preserve facial details that might lead to an identification if other contemporary images exist. His shoulder strap shows a very slight bit of red at the back edge, but not enough to clearly indicate artillery service. His light trouser stripe shows sections with a darker cast, but is likely simply shading. The detail on the table top’s supporting floral elements is very good. The table’s feet naturally are less distinct with the focus clearly on the officer’s face.

The condition is very good, with minor cracks or thin stains to the image and some crackling and losses to the gilt wood and plaster frame, but the raised floral motifs on the corners are still largely there, which are usually the first to go in careless handling or storage.

Frame measures 18” x 22”.  Additional shipping charge required. [sr][ph:L]