Woman with her West Highland White Terrier

PhotographerThe Misses Selby

CountryEngland

MediumPlatinum

Year1900-1905

View Additional Information & Tags

Animals, Dogs, Fashion, Flowers, Pets, Portrait: Woman, Supports

Dimensions

Image Dimensions: 16.7 x 12.0 cm
Support Dimensions: 18.2 x 12.5 cm (unmounted)


Associated Blog Posts:

A Brief Moment in Time


British photographers Emily & Lillian Selby began taking photographs together while operating their first American portrait studio at 292 Fifth Avenue in New York City beginning in 1900. Collectively signing their work as The Misses Selby, the sisters, (Emily: b. 1868 | Lillian: b. 1866) according to Jane C. Gover:

 

 …were seeking an artist’s studio in New York when they happened to be offered a photographer’s studio with all its equipment. Relying on Emily’s business experience and Lillian’s degree in science, the sisters established a portrait studio and quickly became well known in Manhattan.  (1.)

 

In 1904, a short mention of their newfound interest in photographing dogs was penned by author Lucy Dix in the Broadway Magazine:

 

The Misses Selby have made a new departure for themselves in connection with their photographic work in the big Fifth Avenue Studio. One of their sitters chanced to bring in a magnificent dog to be photographed, and the two young English women, keen lovers of high-bred animals, were so successful with the pictures that they added dog photography as a side issue. (2.)

 

print notes: recto: signed in graphite on support within lower right margin: The Misses Selby N.Y.

verso: adhesive residue along top margin

 

1. The Misses Selby: in: Ambassadors of Progress, American Women Photographers in Paris, 1900-1901: edited by Bronwyn A.E. Griffith: Musée d’Art Américain Giverny, France In association with the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.: 2001: p. 170
2. Lucy M. Dix: Successful Women in Queer Occupations: from: Broadway Magazine: New York: May, 1904: p. 167

Woman with her West Highland White Terrier