? Are these photos, prints, portraits etc, circa 1885 ?

[redbeardrelics]

Not sure if this is the best forum to post this question. I have these two framed "pictures" of my ancestors, which I am estimating are from around 1880-1895. The actual picture area measure about 16 inches by 20 inches. I am wondering if these are actual photographs, some sort of prints from photographs, some sort of drawings or artwork etc? My mother has similar large "pictures" of both these ancestors in the same poses, but there are some minor differences in the eyes, eyebrows etc., which leads me to believe that hers, or mine, or both, have some artistic rendering to them, and are not actual photos. Is anyone familiar with the general practice in those days of producing images such as these? Thanks for any insight you can give me.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Cry Of The Eagle: History And Legends Of The Cherokee Indians And Their Buried Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[DigDug1]

I have one tat I just took to an art specialist to examine. My photo looks similar to yours in style. He informed me that they used to take black and white photos and paint on them to add color and "realism". he told me that mine was a work or art that someone spent a LOT of time on. He also told me that the ornate original frame and the bubbled glass was probably worth more monetarily than the picture. LOL