Portrait of a Bonnet Salesman

1850s

American 19th Century

Associated Names
American 19th Century

Artist

The image depicts a man seated from the waist up. He has a neutral expression and is looking directly at the viewer. He appears youthful with a clean-shaven face and short, neatly combed hair. He is wearing a dark bowler hat, a three-piece suit with a white shirt, and a bow tie. He is holding a plaid-patterned hat in his hand which rests on his lap. There is no visible jewelry. The background consists of decorated fabric, likely part of a chair. The image is surrounded by an ornate gold-colored frame with floral motifs.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    ambrotype

  • Credit Line

    The Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection

  • Dimensions

    image (visible): 4.8 × 3.8 cm (1 7/8 × 1 1/2 in.)
    mat: 6.4 × 5 cm (2 1/2 × 1 15/16 in.)
    case: 7.3 × 6.2 × 1.2 cm (2 7/8 × 2 7/16 × 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2023.146.49

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Ross Kelbaugh, Marriottsville, MD; gift to NGA, 2023.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

by Ross Kelbaugh, top edge of case in black ink on applied sticker: KL018; bottom edge: H / 8

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