Toronto Metropolitan University
Browse
Keller_Krista.pdf (13.31 MB)

A Great Variety of New and Fine Designs: Advertisements for Painted Backgrounds, 1856--1903

Download (13.31 MB)
thesis
posted on 2021-06-08, 14:51 authored by Krista Keller

The painted background, as a piece of photographic equipment, has rarely been studied apart form its decorative function in portraits. This thesis addresses the history, construction, and use of the painted background within studio portrait photography during the latter half of the nineteenth century as revealed from examining advertisements for painted backgrounds. 1,096 advertisements for painted backgrounds were reviewed in nine periodicals published in the United States of America from 1856 to 1903, all taken from the Richard and Ronay Menschel Library at George Eastman House. This material has been compiled into a comprehensive index revealing an increase in the use of painted background within portrait photography during this time period. The analysis of this research also provides information about the history of painted backgrounds, companies advertising backgrounds, sizes, styles, and costs of backgrounds, and ways companies shipped their backgrounds throughout this era.

History

Language

eng

Degree

  • Master of Arts

Program

  • Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management

Granting Institution

Ryerson University

LAC Thesis Type

  • Thesis

Thesis Advisor

Jamie M. Allen

Usage metrics

    Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management (Theses)

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC