A Rural Picnic
Artist
Unknown
Dateca. 1857
MediumDaguerreotype
DimensionsPlate (half): 5 1/2 × 4 1/2 inches (13.97 × 11.43 cm)
Case (open): 6 × 9 1/2 × 3/8 inches (15.24 × 24.13 × 0.95 cm)
Case (closed): 6 × 4 3/4 × 5/8 inches (15.24 × 12.07 × 1.59 cm)
Case (open): 6 × 9 1/2 × 3/8 inches (15.24 × 24.13 × 0.95 cm)
Case (closed): 6 × 4 3/4 × 5/8 inches (15.24 × 12.07 × 1.59 cm)
Credit LineGift of Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Object number2005.27.443
Signednone
InscribedOn paper note, housed behind plate, in black pen: "A rural picnic of the olden time / the gentleman in the foreground / holding two small daughers / is Mary Elixabeth Pidgeon's Paternal / grandfather (born 1815, died 1902) / The children are his daughters / Sarah Catherine and / Eliza Chaudlee (born 1854) / (same two little girls in another picture).";
On paper liner, in tray behind plate, in pencil: "Circle Hill August 18th 1858 / This group was taken one year ago / down on the banks of [?] old / [?] at a picnic [?] where I enjoyed / my self with my dear friend L.M.B. / oh so much, but what sad changes one short year brings round, she is now far away and little do I expect - ever to see her again. / August 18th / 1858 / Mi[?]
MarkingsOn modern paper seal, plate verso, in pencil: "PLATE MFG'S. MARK LOWER L. CORNER (RINHART 46C) SCOVILL MFG [?] EXTRA / 400-122-97 / 4-PLY 100% RAG BOARD BACKING, REGLAZED, SEALED WITH FILMOPLAST P-90 TAPE 9-22-2005 GSW".
On View
Not on viewGallery Location
- L10
Collections
DescriptionImage of a crowd gathered in a grassy landscape; all figures face the viewer. A man in the foreground holds two small children in his lap. This half plate daguerreotype is housed in an oval brass mat inside of a case with an ornate circular motif, gold tooling, and an embossed red velvet liner. Behind the plate is a note identifying some of the sitters and on the paper liner is an inscription describing the scene.Gallery LabelThough picnics are usually cheerful events, this large group appears quite solemn. Smiling for photographs became more common after 1900, when faster, more affordable cameras made it easier to take photographs. People also grew more accustomed to having their picture taken. Lacking any directive to “say cheese,” these picnickers were likely asked to sit still and look into the camera so that the photographer could record the scene for posterity.
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