Portrait of a Plain gentleman with beard and no mustache. Front view, the man has brown hair parted on left and a gray beard. He wears a lapelled coat, vest, white shirt and bow tie. The signature "Saylor" appears beneath the left sleeve of the subject.
NOTE: Since B(enjamin) Franklin Saylor (1838-1920) was a photographer in Lancaster, this may be a photograph that was accented/highlighted with pencil.
Above measurements are to the portrait sheet that is attached to a cardboard piece 13" x 16". Back of cardboard shows some fluid stains in the lower right corner and foxing overall. Heavy streaks of brown along the right edge.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-01-19
Condition Notes
Although brown around edged, these areas were covered by an oval frame and the photo/portrait is clean.
Pastel portrait of a woman, dark hair parted in middle, facing slightly to the left. Her white head covering has a thin band beneath the chin. A white sash is around her neck, overlapped in the front to cascade below her chin and widen down of her chest.
This Gutekunst photo has been enhanced with charcoal and white pastels. It is matted with an oval opening. Angled along the base of her left sleeve impressed in tiny cursive is " F. Gutekunst" with a line beneath.
Written in pencil on reverse: " 189/ Pastel Portrait,/ woman".
Label on back: "From/ F. Gutekunst/ Photographer,/ 719 Arch Street, Philadelphia."
Frederick Gutekunst (September 25, 1831 – April 27, 1917) was an American photographer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He opened his first photographic portrait studio with his brother in 1854 and successfully ran his business for sixty years.
Year Range From
1854
Year Range To
1914
Object Name
Drawing
Oither Names
Portrait
Condition
Good to excellent
Condition Date
2023-06-19
Condition Notes
The fine condition has been preserved by the oval-cut mat and backing for this piece. There is a chunk of the top mat missing from the lower left edge.
