Portrait of a Telephone Lineman

c. 1900

Peter McWilliam

Associated Names
Peter McWilliam

Artist, American, 1875 - 1947

The image shows a person standing upright. They are facing slightly to the left, with their left hand on their hip and their right hand holding a coiled rope. The person has short hair and is wearing a brimmed hat, long sleeves, a high-collared shirt, suspenders, and a strap across the body, suggestive of a utility belt. They have a small satchel over their shoulder and there is another rope present. The background features classic architectural elements and the floor is covered in what appears to be hay or straw. The photograph is mounted on a card from a photography studio in Kewanee, Ill.

Media Options

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

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print (cabinet card)

  • Credit Line

    The Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection

  • Dimensions

    image/sheet: 14 × 9.9 cm (5 1/2 × 3 7/8 in.)
    mount: 16.5 × 10.8 cm (6 1/2 × 4 1/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2023.146.138


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

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

Associated Names

Inscriptions

lower left on mount printed in blue ink: McWilliam; lower center: PMW; lower right: KEWANEE, ILL.; on verso, by Ross Kelbaugh, top left in graphite: K164; top right: 517EH


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