#19th century

19th century print by Keisai Eisen of a mother and child.

Brilliant Mediterranean sunshine and deep, sharp shadow create quite dramatic contrast for this sweetly demure portrait by Guglielmo Plüschow - perhaps the model’s own modesty called for some small covering, or the photographer’s wish for a less revealing selection of pictures to cater for those of more reserved tastes.

A quite remarkably handsome young man, his features as near to perfection as any yet seen here, reclining in the pleasant peace of the hills near Taormina, a tantalising hint of a smile on his lips as he arches his back catlike in the sun. The dark drape of fabric preserving his modesty does little to detract from the sensuality of his pose, and the photograph remains as seductive as any more explicit offering in Guglielmo Plüschow’s catalolgue.

Time for a little sweet silliness, with this unusual and greatly amusing submission from a reader! Sadly their names are lost in time, though I perhaps detect a hint of family resemblance (particularly around the eyes), and would hazard a guess they are all linked by blood not friendship alone.
The picture was taken in Brașov, Romania (known as Kronstadt in German and Brasso in Hungarian)

Quite simply splendid! This photograph has it all : the dapper chaps in superb hats, the elaborate painted backdrop and quirky choice of seating (is that an umbrella stand he perches upon?), even the delicately worn edges of which I am so fond - and oh, that hand-tinted blush to the cheeks!

In honour of the wonderful Oscar Wilde, whose 159th birthday it is on the 16th, pictured here with his beautiful and beloved Lord Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas.
(My earlier posts featuring this dapper pair can be found here)
 

Another familiar and distinctive face this evening - as his previous picture was so deservedly well-received I thought I would include another of Asrah, the model of striking good looks who appeared in so much of Wilhelm von Gloeden’s work throughout his time in Taormina.

My perpetual gratitude to Alan, who has sent in many fine photographs for me to choose from - this particular piqued my curiosity as the fellow’s name is included, a tantalising snippet of information on which I hoped I could expand; but my investigations have sadly drawn a blank, I cannot find out anything about his life or career. 

Despite being titled merely “Boy with Spear”, I (and all those who have followed for long enough to recognise one of the undoubted stars of this collection) can add that the classically handsome 19-year-old model in question is none other than Vincenzo Galdi. We have even seen him holding this spear once before.

Though it is tiny (and regrettably I have been unable to locate a larger copy), this photograph is well worthy of inclusion, as it depicts a pair who proved exceedingly popular the first time they featured here! Once again they do an admirable job of holding their pose, neccessary stillness without losing the muscular tension and strength applied.

For this photograph by Wilhelm von Gloeden (and the kind words of appreciation which accompanied it), I extend my gratitude to Bob - who has been enjoying this collection for some time and was pleased to at last share a picture which so perfectly suits taking its place here. 

Whilst many Victorian gentlemen sitting for their studio portrait together chose the simplest expressions of affection - interlinked arms, or one hand upon the other’s knee - this pair are surprising in their uninhibited intimacy, tucked close as can be and embracing tightly, they ignore the photographer entirely and gaze instead into one another’s eyes, a warm smile on the face of the fellow looking down.

A novel angle here, though perhaps not the most flattering, or the most useful to those 19th century artists looking to purchase reference photographs, as I cannot imagine many wanted to paint a fellow from such an odd viewpoint! By Gaudenzio Marconi, circa 1870 (see other impressive examples of his work which I have posted prevously)

Though dark and indistinct, this von Gloeden photograph is still an evocative image of lazy, languid relaxation, catlike he stretches in the sun, a contented sigh, can’t you almost hear the hum of insects all arund him, and the birds in the wide flawlessly blue summer sky.

A charming group portrait here, two men and their devoted dog, looking quite comfortable to lie across both laps - any struggling movement would have blurred the image but we see he is as sharply captured as his master and companion. This would have been taken in a professional studio, despite the misleadingly domestic background, which is in fact a skillfully painted backdrop - many scenery painters from the theatre found additional work with the emerging photographic trade.

From the explicit to the innocent; a gentle hand-hold in the photographer’s studio, circa 1870.

Photographed in 1886, the position this strong young man adopts is reminiscent of the famous Flandrin pose, but more tense and tightly tucked.