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Mrs. John R. Johnston, before 1857. Creator: John R. Johnston (American, 1820-1872)
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Mrs. John R. Johnston, before 1857. Creator: John R. Johnston (American, 1820-1872)
Mrs. John R. Johnston, before 1857. Active in the worlds of theather and music, Johnson was also a distinguished portrait painter, a remarkable photographer, and one of the supreme colourists of photographs. By the mid 1850s, he resided in Baltimore where he associated with Jesse H. Whitefurst, how was better known than Matthew Brady and one of the most important studio operators at that time. This portrait is a tour-de-force of personal expression, both on the part of the sitter and artist. In the angled three-quarter-length pose, Mrs. Johnson, with head tilted, gazes directly toward the cameras lens. For the period, this portrait was extraordinarily spontaneous and informal, personal and sensual. Adding to the photographs distinction, Johnson printed his wet collodion negative on salted paper, a rarity in early American photography
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This print captures the essence of Mrs. John R. Johnston, a prominent figure in the worlds of theater and music before 1857. The creator of this remarkable piece is none other than her husband himself, John R. Johnston, who was not only a distinguished portrait painter but also an exceptional photographer. Residing in Baltimore during the mid-1850s, Johnston associated with renowned studio operator Jesse H. Whitefurst, who was even more famous than Matthew Brady at that time. This particular portrait showcases both the sitter's and artist's personal expressions in a truly mesmerizing manner. In this angled three-quarter-length pose, Mrs. Johnson tilts her head and gazes directly into the camera lens with an air of confidence and allure. What sets this portrait apart from others of its time is its extraordinary spontaneity and informality; it exudes a sense of intimacy that is both personal and sensual. Adding to its distinction, Johnston printed his wet collodion negative on salted paper—a rarity in early American photography—resulting in a unique visual texture that enhances the overall appeal of the image. Preserved by The Cleveland Museum of Art as part of their heritage collection, this 19th-century masterpiece by John R. Johnston stands as a testament to his skill as one of America's supreme colorists in photography—an exquisite blend between artistry and documentation capturing an era long gone yet forever preserved through his lens.
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