Theodora Cheney
SubjectPortrait of
Theodora Cheney
(American, 1874 - 1951)
PhotographerPhotographed by
Davis & Sanford
(American, 1892 - 1915)
Dateabout 1891
MediumPhotography; black and white photograph on paper and cardstock
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 6 1/16 × 4 7/16in. (15.4 × 11.3cm)
Mount (height x width): 10 1/16 × 8in. (25.6 × 20.3cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineGift of Edith Cowles Poor
Object number2008.38.19
DescriptionThree-quarter length studio portrait of Theodora "Dora" Cheney as a young woman. She is seated and angled to the left, looking off camera. There is a studio backdrop behind her, depicting trees and, perhaps, water. Dora is wearing a long white dress that has gauzy layers over the bodice and a satin skirt. There are silk flowers attached in a line down one side, starting at the top of her right shoulder and going down to her waist. The dress has short sleeves that have several layers. Dora's hair is pulled back into a twisted updo. She is holding a small bouquet of flowers in her lap. The photograph is mounted on cardstock and matted within an oval cardstock frame. This is probably a débutante portrait.
NotesDate note: Estimate based on life dates and approximate age of subject in photograph. The elaborate nature of the dress suggests that the picture may have been taken when Dora was a débutante, ie about 17 or 18 years old.Status
Not on view
James Sidney Brainard
