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William Freeman (Brit./Aust., 1809–1895).

[Young Woman Dressed As An Angel]

c1875. Albumen paper photograph, carte-de-visite format, studio line on backing below image and verso, 9.4 x 5.6cm. Slight soiling, fading, laid down on original backing.

Studio line verso includes “Freeman, late Oswald Allen. Artist photographer, crayon and miniature painter, 360 George Street, Sydney. Terms: cash on delivery. Photographer by appointment to His Excellency the Governor.”

The Freeman brothers, William and James (1814–1870), both professional photographers, established their studio in George Street, Sydney after arriving from England in 1855. They specialised in daguerreotype and ambrotype portraits. During the 1860s, their successful studio focused on carte-de-visite portraits. In 1868, both brothers went back to England, leaving their flourishing businesses in George Street in the hands of their staff. In 1870, William returned to Sydney after the death of James. In 1872, he took over the business of Mr and Mrs Oswald Allen, well-known photographers and miniature painters in George Street, Sydney. He continued to take advantage of the “carte-de-visite craze”, and many portrait cartes of the 1870s were imprinted ‘Freeman late Oswald Allen.’” Ref: ADB; SLNSW; AGNSW.

This photograph is a rare example of a fantasy image in a carte-de-visite format.

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Item #CL202-12

Price (AUD): $1,100.00  other currencies