Aureus
Silver Member
Got a very unusual and interesting find. Not while metal detecting this time. Was walking around my neighborhood and noticed that someone put a large old portrait on the side of the road to be picked up by the garbage truck. It had a large and heavy gold gilded frame so I knew it wasn't some cheap decoration. Only arriving home realized that what I found was a very old hand colored photograph rather than a painting. The writing says Notman Photo - Hy Sandham Copy. I contacted the McCord museum as they hold the largest collection of William Notman's work, they confirmed the authenticity of the photograph which dates to 1850's-1860's The way Notman studio colored the photographs at that period was by painting over the original photograph taken at the studio, an extra service provided to very wealthy clients. The ''Copy'' on the photograph indicated that an other example was created (possibly to be colored). Unfortunately the museum could not provide at this time the name of the gentlemen depicted on the photo.
William Notman (1826-1891) was a Canadian pioneer photographer. He opened a studio in Montreal in 1856 and won multiple prizes for his composites.He was later named photographer of the Queen (Victoria).
Notman, A Visionary Photographer - Musee McCord
Henry Sandham (1842-1910) was a renown Canadian painter. He started his carrer at the age of 14 at Notman studio.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Sandham
Really cool find. No detector needed.
View attachment Notman-Sandham.jpg
William Notman (1826-1891) was a Canadian pioneer photographer. He opened a studio in Montreal in 1856 and won multiple prizes for his composites.He was later named photographer of the Queen (Victoria).
Notman, A Visionary Photographer - Musee McCord
Henry Sandham (1842-1910) was a renown Canadian painter. He started his carrer at the age of 14 at Notman studio.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Sandham
Really cool find. No detector needed.
View attachment Notman-Sandham.jpg
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