Young Man

Photograph

-

The Recorded Image Project

Name/Title

Young Man

Entry/Object ID

RE-PH-2026-0054

Description

Sepia-toned studio portrait of a young man, shown in three-quarter view facing left. He wears a dark tailored jacket with narrow lapels, a high white standing collar, and a small patterned necktie or tie pin. His hair is neatly parted and combed close to the head, consistent with late 19th-century masculine fashion. The image is softly vignetted, fading gently toward the lower edge, a stylistic choice typical of the period. The mount is cream-colored with printed studio credit at the bottom.

Category

1890's, Victorian, man, Studio Portrait

Made/Created

Studio

W.R. Carr

Date made

1890 - 1898

Time Period

Victorian

Place

State/Province

Connecticut

Notes

Photographer / Studio: W. R. Carr, Artist Studio Location: Putnam, Connecticut Photographic Process: Albumen print on cardstock mount

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Date Examined

Feb 8, 2026

Notes

Good overall. Light surface wear and age toning present, particularly along the mount edges. Minor spotting and softening consistent with age; image remains legible with intact tonal range. No major creases or losses observed.

General Notes

Note Type

Description

Note

This cabinet card portrait, produced in Putnam, Connecticut, during the final decade of the 19th century, exemplifies the restrained elegance of regional American studio photography. The sitter’s composed expression, precise grooming, and tailored attire reflect contemporary ideals of respectability and self-presentation among young men of the period. The soft vignette and neutral backdrop draw focus to the subject’s face, emphasizing individuality while adhering to prevailing photographic aesthetics. As a product of a smaller New England studio, this photograph offers valuable insight into local photographic practices beyond major metropolitan centers.

Create Date

February 8, 2026