Figure 1.--After the rather stark black frops of the 1860s we tend to see domestic back drops in the 1870s and 80s. Gradually in the 1890s we begin to see rather romanticically styalized backdrops. This portrait is undated, but the mount and whicker furniture suggest to us that it was taken about the turn-of-the-20th century. Notice the rather romantic background. The portrait was taken at the Kaurin Studio in West Grand Rapids, Wisconsin. The boy wears a classic Fauntleroy style which at the tome was declining in poularity.

One interesting aspect of phographic studios is the backdrops they used. These backdrops were not invemted along with photography. In fact it took several decades for enterprising individuals to think up the idea and for it to become poplar. Early photographic portraits had plain, often dark backdrops. Only in the 1860s do we begin to see backdrops and they were rather simple. It was not until the 70s that elaborate backdrops become common place. The time-line and the types of backdrops varied chronologically and from country to country. Germany seems to have played an important role in popularizing the idea of backdrops and German firms sold these backdrops. The backdrops offered also varied from studio to studio. The more established studios, of course, offered the greatest choice in backdrops and the most elaborate ones. The inspiration here may have been painted portraits which often had elaborate backdrops. There were a variety of backgrounds in old portraits. We rather thought that studios would tend to offer backdrops in keeping with local conditions, but city studios commonly had rural backdrops. In fact city backgrounds are quite rare. We are not sure why that was. We note that studios in seaside resport towns commonly has beach backdrops. Studios in these resorts in particular had appraoriate background drops so that the photograph might have the atmosphere of the local resort. One source tells us that beack resort backdrops were no unusal in inland cities. We can not yet confirm that.

Despription

Backdrops were cloths suspended behind the subject. Some backdrops were plain designed meerly to hide the portion of the room behind the subject which could be destracting. Other backdrops were more elaborate, painted to give the impression of both indoor and outdoor scenes. More modern backdeops as a result of the development of color photography have color as a major feature, although sometimes color lighting is used on a white backdrop.

Chronology

One interesting aspect of phographic studios is the backdrops they used. The time-line and the types of backdrops varied chronologically and from country to country. These backdrops were not invented along with photography. In fact it took several decades for enterprising individuals to think up the idea and for it to become poplar. Although the idea of backdrops became established, we note changes in the style of backdrops over time. Early photographic portraits had plain, often dark backdrops. Only in the 1860s do we begin to see backdrops and they were rather simple--at first blank walls. A good example is three unidentified Illinois children about 1865. The 1860s saw back drops with a few pieces of furnishing and drapes. The walls were often bare giving the impression of a theatrical stage. The backdrops by the 1870s were much more elaborate. The 1870s and 80s backdrops were dramatic, designed to convey an image of gravitas with book-lined studies or well furnished parlors. Nostalgic country dscenes were also popular. Gradually we also see more romantic background scenes in the 1890s.

Country Trends

Germany seems to have played an important role in popularizing the idea of backdrops and German firms sold these backdrops. Photographic studio backdrops seem to have been brought to Britain by Antoine Claudet (early 40s). They did not become common place until the 1860s. We are jot yet sure whon introduced them to the United States. One source tells us that elaboirate studio backdrops were more popular in Europe than america. We do not yet know enough about European backdrops to be abe able to assess this.

Studio Variations

The backdrops offered also varied from studio to studio. The more established studios, of course, offered the greatest choice in backdrops and the most elaborate ones. The inspiration here may have been painted portraits which often had elaborate backdrops.

Background Variety

There were a variety of backgrounds in old portraits. We rather thought that studios would tend to offer backdrops in keeping with local conditions, but city studios commonly had rural backdrops. In fact city backgrounds are quite rare. We are not sure why that was. Rrural backdrops were, however, very popular. This probably reflects the rural origins of many people in the 19th century. This was probably especially true of Americans. It perhaps reflects a nostalgia for a simpler area which most Americans probably though as a more moral period. We know less about foreign countries. These were often complete with split rail fences and rocks. European rural settings might have suggested an ancestral estate. This was less true of America where the idea seems to have been simply a rural setting. The poopular split rails would have suggested a family farm. These rural scenes were popular for children. I think the connection was the innosence of children and rural America. the Elaborate interiors suggesting a richy furished home were also popular. Here both sitting rooms (parlors) and studies with book-lined shelves. Women might be commonly depicted in the prlor setting and men in the study setting. The major focus of indoor settings seems toi have been to provided a dignified setting for the portrait.

Priduction

We thought that backdrops and other items such as furniture and props were secured locally. Many probably were. They were also available commercially. Companies producung these items appeared. Engelmann & Schneider in Dresden was particularly notable. They even issued catalogues detailing their producr line. German firms became renouned for their expertise in pgotography and photographic related items. Germany became especially noted for cameras, but German firms specialized in mny other photography related items.

Resort Backdrops

We note that studios in seaside resport towns commonly has beach backdrops. Studios in these resorts in particular had appraoriate background drops so that the photograph might have the atmosphere of the local resort. One source tells us that beack resort backdrops were no unusal in inland cities. We can not yet confirm that. We do note a beach report backdrop that was used by a studio in Globe, Aruizona. Arizona is an inland stte.

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Created: 11:23 PM 7/8/2008
Last updated: 11:23 PM 7/8/2008