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)
Mount (height x width): 10 1/16 × 8in. (25.6 × 20.3cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineGift of Edith Cowles Poor
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.
Object number2008.38.19
MarkingsEngraved on recto of mount below the bottom left corner of the image, beneath mat: "DAVIS & SANFORD / ARTIST-PROOF / PHOTOGRAVURE / NEW YORK"Printed in brown ink on verso of mount: "Order Duplicates by this No. and better [dotted line]
Printed in brown ink on verso of mount within geometric border: "DAVIS & SANFORD / [coat of arms including banner with words: "AMAT VICTORIA CURAM"] / ARTIST-PHOTOGRAPHERS / 246, Fifth Avenue, / NEW YORK U S A / BY APPOINTMENT / [coat of arms of Spain] / H R H EULALIA"
Printed in brown ink on verso of mount, at bottom: "MINIATURES ON IVORY AND PORCELAIN. / --PASTELS-- / FINE GOLD AND METAL FRAMES / IN ALL SIZES READY FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY. / THE LARGEST AND FINEST ASSORTMENT IN NEW YORK."InscribedHandwritten in pencil on recto of mount below image, beneath the mat: "Davis & Sanford"
Handwritten in pencil on verso of mount: "Dora Cheney"
Handwritten in pencil on verso of mount, after the printed words "Order Duplicates by this No. and better": "16910 C"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.
On View
Not on view
James Sidney Brainard
