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Photography
Portraiture
Portraiture

Portraiture

Explore the history of one of the most common types of photographs: the portrait. From formal studio shots to simple snapshots, the best portraits capture more than just a likeness. Discover how they mark a moment in time, create drama, evoke sympathy, inspire whimsy, and reflect the spirit and character of humanity.

  • A photograph by David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson from a series capturing residents of rural Scotland in their natural surroundings

    David Octavius Hill, Robert Adamson

    Photograph

    View Full Item  in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Portrait of two women in the 1880s showing the vignetting technique made possible through new advances in photograph printing

    Hillman, William Joseph, Richland Center, WI, 1878-1912

    Front Picture Description: Black and white formal portrait of 2 women. They are both wearing high collared dresses along with a corsage. Kate Cholerton was b. 6 Aug 1854 to Thomas C. Cholerton and Mar…

    View Full Item  in Richland County History Room
  • An early book of portraits of famous people from 1891

    Stead, W. T. (William Thomas), 1849-1912, ed

    View Full Item  in Harvard University
  • Portrait of a bride and groom circa 1919

    Cochems, Edward W. (Edward William), 1874-1949

    Scope/Content: Cochem studio portraits, Santa Ana

    View Full Item  in UC Irvine, Libraries, Orange County Regional History Collection
  • Self-portrait by Alvin Langdon Coburn in 1905

    Alvin Langdon Coburn

    Photograph

    View Full Item  in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Advertisement for a photography studio that produced postcard portraits

    A.J. Park's Electric Studio

    Commercial and professional servicesPublishing industryEntertainment and leisure activities

    View Full Item  in University of Washington
  • Composite photo of a high school class in 1912

    Bachrach, Louis Fabian, 1881-1963

    Title supplied by cataloger. Date from item. Louis Fabian Bachrach

    View Full Item  in Barre Historical Society
  • Portrait of a cadet in officer’s reserve training school in the lead up to World War I

    Albert J. Newlin in his uniform. Santa Clara became an Officer's reserve training school in 1917. All students were enrolled in the Students Army Training Core, and wore uniforms as their daily garb.

    View Full Item  in Santa Clara University
  • Portrait of a bricklayer by August Sander, part of his series on everyday citizens of 1920s Germany

    August Sander

    Photograph

    View Full Item  in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Portrait of a circus performer in Germany during the rise of the Third Reich

    August Sander

    Photograph

    View Full Item  in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Yearbook page showing portraits of a school class in 1935

    Gordon graduated from Auburn High School in 1935 at age 16 with an overwhelming list of extracurricular activities next to his picture in the yearbook. His interests included: Hi-Y, German Club, Opere…

    View Full Item  in University of Washington
  • Portrait of actress Pearl Bailey by photographer Carl Van Vechten

    Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964

    View Full Item  in Marquette University
  • Photograph of singer Marian Anderson by celebrity photographer Richard Avedon

    Richard Avedon

    Photograph

    View Full Item  in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Photograph of then Vice President Richard Nixon by Philippe Halsman, who encouraged his subjects to be unguarded

    Philippe Halsman

    Photograph

    View Full Item  in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Whimsical photograph of Junebug Clark pointing a toy gun at her father, the photographer

    Clark, Joe

    Photograph of Junebug Clark pointing a toy double barrel toy gun at the camera lens. 1 photograph : b&w ; in frame 20 x 16 in.

    View Full Item  in UNT Libraries Special Collections
  • An artistic expression in portraiture, focusing on hands reading braille instead of the face

    Imogen Cunningham

    Photograph

    View Full Item  in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Personal family portraits taken using amateur photography equipment

    Black and white portrait photograph of crying baby (left); color snapshot of seated girl holding infant (right). Donated for capture by Iris Sheber at Kings Bay library. Title devised by cataloger. Or…

    View Full Item  in Brooklyn Public Library
  • Polaroid photograph of Mamie McFadden Ward

    Polaroid photograph of Mamie McFaddin Ward wearing a patterned dress and a red coat, standing in a room with curtains covering windows in the background. 1 photograph : col. ; 11 x 9 cm.

    View Full Item  in McFaddin-Ward House Museum
  • School portrait of smiling boy

    School portrait of Crown Heights resident Eric Osorio (perhaps nine-years old) dressed in a collared shirt and tie. Donated for capture by Eric Osorio at Red Hook Library. Title devised by cataloger.…

    View Full Item  in Brooklyn Public Library
  • Self portrait by photographer Cindy Sherman

    Cindy Sherman

    Photograph

    View Full Item  in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Provocative self portrait by art photographer Nan Goldin

    Nan Goldin

    Photograph

    View Full Item  in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Sonia Rodriguez in a studio photography session

    Conzo, Joe (American hip hop photographer)

    Cornell: The Joe Conzo, Jr Archive; A studio photo session of Sonia.

    View Full Item  in Cornell University
  • Informal wedding portrait of Ruksana Alladeen and Azad Insanali

    Ruksana Alladeen

    Ruksana Alladeen and Azad Insanali at their wedding. Collected through the Culture in Transit grant program, 2015-2016, in collaboration with Brooklyn Connections and I.S. 238.

    View Full Item  in Queens Borough Public Library
  • Student takes a “selfie” at University of North Texas Commencement

    Clark, Junebug

    Photograph of student taking her own photograph as she graduates at a UNT commencement ceremony. 1 photograph : digital, col.

    View Full Item  in UNT Libraries Special Collections
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Photography
Portraiture

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