1860s Gallery
Here are a number of early examples of portraits taken by Leeds and Bradford Studio Photographers. All thought to have been taken during the 1860s. The date ranges shown are the dates from which the photographer operated from the address printed on the mounting card.
It is interesting to observe how props and painted backdrops were used during this period. Because of the relatively long exposure times sitters would have been asked to take hold of something to steady their hands, also you will notice that in the first portrait at the back of the gentleman's feet it is possible to see the base of a stand. This was the base of a neck brace or head rest which kept the sitters head steady. In most cases the photographer would have bought these 'off the shelf' however Oliver Sarony designed his own which allowed more freedom of movement in terms of the sitters position. The stands were often hidden from view by draping a curtain across the base as in the second portrait by Navey.
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Portraits by
John Berry Boden
57 Park Lane
Leeds
1861-1870
Portraits by
John Turner
Mount Preston
Leeds
1863 - 1870
Portraits by
Peter Paul Skeolan
14 Commercial Street
Leeds
1864 - 1871
Portraits by
Joseph Navey
Albion Street
Leeds
1856 - 1866
Portraits by
John William Ramsden
18 Park Row
Leeds
1853 - 1875
Portraits by
William Hanson
18 Park Row
Leeds
1861 - 1864
Notice that both Ramsden and Hanson operated from the same address during the same period. In fact this may not actually be true as it is thought that Ramsden may have taken a break during the period when William Hanson was working at 18 Park Row. In fact Ramsden's wife had six children between 1859 - 1865
Portraits by
John Oke
30 Park Row
Leeds
1866
Chas Hall
13 Market Street
Briggate
Leeds
1863 - 1881
and
Charles Leach
Armley, Leeds
1863 - 1891
Portraits by
Marchbank and Harland
Hustlergate
Bradford
1865 - 1875
Portraits by
Henry Berlon
Top of Manor Row
Bradford
1864 - 1875
Vignettes were often used to bring focus to the sitter themselves and to take the background, props and surroundings out altogether.
The second sitter is named Singleton
Portraits by
Appleton & Co
Horton Lane and Top of Manor Row Bradford
1859 - 1863
The second and third portrait are numbered 7297 and 6172. It is thought that the numbering of Appleton's portraits took place between 1859 and 1863
Since all three portraits refer to one of Appletons Studios being at the top of Manor Row this dates them to before 1864
Portraits by
Edmund Wormald
Great George Street
Leeds
1861 - 1864
Notice how the same chair appears in all these portraits and how much difference the painting of the two central portraits has on their appearance and even on the chair. Colour added another dimension and brought the portrait to life.
More portraits by
Edmund Wormald
Great George Street
Leeds
1861 - 1864
The second portrait is dated 1862
Portraits by
Oliver Sarony
18 Park Place
Leeds
1864 - 1866
The second and third example here show the same painted backdrop but with different furniture in place. In the second portrait the props tend to frame the portrait whereas in the third they actually create a distraction. Props and backdrops had to be used with great care in order to create the desired result and there was a fine line between success and failure.
Portraits by
James Harrison
172 Woodhouse Lane
Leeds
1857 - 1872
Portraits by
Charles Henry Braithwaite
Near top of Briggate
Leeds
1858 - 1888
Third portrait is Edward Baines editor and proprietor of the Leeds Mercury.