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Lucas, R.C.
British (1800-1883)

TITLE ON OBJECT: 50 Studies of Expressions, R.C. Lucas, 1865

1865
49 albumen print cartes-de-visite
19.0 x 15.0 cm.
Gift of Alden Scott Boyer
81:1265:0000

OLD GEH NUMBER: 13501

INSCRIPTION: first page, pencil: [title] each page has the title inscribed in pencil under the image window

NOTES: Catalogued 11/2000, JS. contains carte-de-visite portraits of sculptor Richard Cockle Lucas posed as fictional characters, many from Shakespeare, as well as in allegorical guises of virtue and vice. Only a few of the poses seem to be traditional studies of emotional expression, such as the contrasting pair titled "A Hopeful Lover" and "A Disappointed Lover." Title is written in pencil on the first page of the album, and all images are captioned in pencil beneath the opening in the album page. One loose carte has the printed information,"The Photographic Academy, 30 Oxford Street, London" on the verso. All of these images were perhaps made as an collaboration between the subject and a professional photographer, possibly William Savage of Winchester, who made the only identified image in the album (#48, a view of Lucas' home). Elements of the same wall, molding and floor appear in the background of many of the images. The photographs are often roughly cut and mounted on unmarked card stock (one image is mounted on the back of one of Lucas' engraved invitations to an exhibit of his work). Nearly all of the pages of the album are detached from the binding of this coverless album. 19 x 15 cm.

SUBJECTS:
portrait, allegorical
study, emotional expression

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