This cabinet card portrait presents a formally posed woman seated with a mandolin cradled in her lap. The photograph is the work of Larson, a professional photographer operating out of 301–303 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, as embossed on the card mount. The woman gazes directly at the camera with a composed, self-assured expression—serious, yet approachable. Her hair is carefully curled and parted, a fashionable look for the late 19th century. She wears a high-necked dress in the style typical of the 1890s, featuring leg-of-mutton sleeves (voluminous at the shoulder and tapering to the wrist), which were highly popular during that time. The bodice of her gown is accented with a checkered or textured insert, and she wears a decorative bow or tie at the collar—adding to the refined, modest elegance of her ensemble. Her appearance suggests that she may have been of middle-class status, and possibly musically trained or involved in performance or amateur music circles. The instrument she holds is a mandolin, distinguished by its tear-drop shape and small, bowl-back body. Mandolins were popular instruments in the late Victorian era, especially among women, as they were considered both genteel and suitable for parlor entertainment. Her grip on the instrument appears practiced—though whether she was photographed in the midst of playing or simply posing with it, we cannot be sure. Still, her inclusion of the mandolin signals her musical ability or at least her cultural refinement. The photo was taken by the Larson Studio, located at 301–303 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis. Herman Larson was a Swedish immigrant who came to America through Sweden in the early 1900’s. In Sweden, he held a degree of Master Photographer and was knighted by the King of Sweden for his excellent work there in the late 1800’s. In 1904 he established his photography studio in downtown Minneapolis. Much of Larson’s work came from the theological, church and public schools in the area. The studio remains in business today and its web site discloses that it still possesses Larson’s panoramic circuit camera. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 