Content/DescriptionSeated young woman, wearing dark lace shawl and matching earrings and brooch. Photographed with an unusual elevated camera angle, with subject looking slightly upward. The sitter was formerly identified, presumably by collector Zelda MacKay, as celebrity Lola Montez (1818-1861). This identification, questioned by many, is almost certainly incorrect. The sitter appears to be younger than her late 30s. Comparison to known Montez portraits reveals little resemblance, other than large wide-set eyes and the suggestion of a vaguely Spanish style.
Title
[Unidentified woman, formerly identified as Lola Montez]
Published
ca. 1854-1858
Full Collection Name
Cased photographs and related images from The Bancroft Library pictorial collections, circa 1845-circa 1870
Other Identifiers
BANC PIC 1905.16242:030--CASE
Type
Image
Extent
1 photograph : ambrotype ; sixth plate, visible image 6.7 x 5.5 cm.
Archive
The Bancroft Library
Note
<physfacet label="Container or Case Note">Type: case. Motif: geometric - Geometric/Scroll (Krainik no. 360). Material: thermoplastic. Dimensions: octagonal 10 x 8.8 cm. Pad: red velvet with embossed lyre motif. Notes: spine label - 266 (from prior owner).</physfacet>;;;<physfacet label="Image Package Note">Original component parts: plate, mat, cover glass, preserver. Plate: ruby glass, with face and gold jewelry slightly hand colored. Mat: plain oval (octagonal exterior edge). Preserver: decorative.</physfacet>;;;
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