She’s somebody’s daughter, or mother or sister. And she sure is wearing a heavy-duty crucifix on a chain around her neck. I wonder who held on to her photo for over a hundred years.
The portrait was taken at Rockwood Photography, in Union Square. George Rockwood opened his studio in 1857 and competed with Civil War and portrait photographer Mathew Brady, who worked a few blocks away down Broadway.
There’s a nice site devoted to George Rockwood that features some of his portraits, plus a few great old photographs of Union Square.
As for this woman, she remains a mystery.
Tags: George Rockwell, old family potraits, portrait photography in New York, Union Square
March 2, 2009 at 5:22 pm |
she looks italian
November 27, 2011 at 5:50 am |
That’s exactly what I just said to myself…
March 2, 2009 at 9:37 pm |
Not to quibble, but I think she is wearing a cross rather than a crucifix. The difference is whether JC is on there. People wear crosses but rarely seem to wear crucifixes. Despite being raised Catholic, I can’t recollect why.