Julia Margaret Cameron

albumen print, on a gilt-ruled mount, numbered 'No.-3,' possibly by the photographer, in pencil on the mount, 1869

Gift of the photographer to her daughter, Julia, and son-in-law, Charles Norman

By descent through the Norman family

Erich Sommer, London

Thackrey & Robertson, San Francisco

Daniel Wolf, Inc., New York, 1978

Acquired by the Quillan Company from the above, 1990

San Francisco, Thackrey & Robertson, Julia Margaret Cameron, September - October 1978

This print:

Jill Quasha, The Quillan Collection of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Photographs (New York, 1991), pl. 64

Julian Cox and Colin Ford, Julia Margaret Cameron: The Complete Photographs (Los Angeles: The J. Paul Getty Museum, 2003), pl. 914

Grading this albumen print on a scale of 1 to 10 - 10 being an albumen print that has deep brown dark tones and highlights that retain all of their original detail - this print surpasses a rating of 10. The print is essentially in excellent condition. When the print is examined in raking light, a number of faint disruptions are visible in its surface. None of these faint scratches or areas of wear break the emulsion, nor do they detract from the fine appearance of this robust albumen print. The print is on its original gilt-ruled mount. The mount is heavily foxed, but this has not affected the image.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This print was originally given by Julia Margaret Cameron to her daughter, Julia, and son-in-law, Charles Norman.  The couple launched the photographer's artistic career by giving her a camera in 1863 when she was 48.  While the sitter is not identified, she strongly resembles the Normans' daughters, Adeline and Margaret. 

During the Victorian era, children were popular subjects for Victorian artists, and they were natural subjects for Cameron.  She had five sons and a daughter, and adopted at least five other children. In addition to posing them in various narratives as cherubs, biblical figures, and characters from poetry and literature, Cameron made a number of images of both children and young adult women in Italianate and Italian peasant costumes.  Italy was a popular destination not only for those making the Grand Tour in the nineteenth century, but was also an inspiring locale for artists and poets.

In their volume Julia Margaret Cameron: The Complete Photographs, Julian Cox and Colin Ford locate only one print of this image, the print offered here.