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.