[Portrait of an unknown man, ca. 1885] / The Sydney & Melbourne Fine Art Co., Portrait Painters and ... Photographic Artists, 110 George St West, Sydney

ML 1420

fonds

ca. 1885

Graphic Materials, Paintings

844008

1 painting - oil on board - image 37 x 27 cm in frame 46 x 36 cm

Head and shoulders portrait

Untitled, unsigned and undated

Though the male subject is unidentified, the painting itself is an interesting example of a portrait painted from a photograph. This type of portrait was a more affordable way for people to own an oil portrait, as the expense of the artist working with the sitter was avoided. Few examples of this type of portrait survive, though they were once quite common.

Reference:
Mitchell Librarian, 28 January 2009

"The Sydney & Melbourne / Fine Art Co. / Portrait Painters / and / ..eneral Photographic Artists / 110 George Street West, / Sydn.." -- label on reverse

Dated mid 1880s from Sydney & Melbourne Fine Art Co. (Samual Plucknett) 110 George St West, Sydney NSW entry in: Australians behind the camera : directory of early Australian photographers, 1841 to 1945 / Sandy Barrie. Sydney South : S. Barrie, c2002.

Frame restored, August 2009