Collection Online as of May 24, 2022
Young Man in Athletic Outfit
attributed to Oliver H. Willard
(American, 1828-1875)
Salted paper print from wet collodion negative
Gift of Charles Isaacs and Carol Nigro 2003.304
Location
not on view
Description
During this era, people played recreational sports in attire resembling street clothes; this man’s outfit suggests that he was an acrobat or circus performer. It was common in the 19th century to photograph workers with the tools of their trade or in apparel unique to their profession. Photography collectors later labeled that type of photograph as an “occupational.”
Oliver H. Willard
Lived in Philadelphia on 1206 Chestnut Street
Willard retired several years before his death and "devoted his attention to the magic lantern."
Made stereoviews, ambrotypes, cartes-de-visite, daguerroeotypes, calotypes
Philadelphia Photographer' obituary, January 1876, Vol. 13, no. 145, p. 26.
Known Exhibitions:
Twenty-fourth Exhibition of American Manufacturers' 1854: Philadelphia, PA, Franklin Institute ' granite building (Dr. David Jayne)
Twenty-fifth Exhibition of American Manufacturers
Twenty-sixth Exhibition of American Manufacturers
Exhibition of the National Photographic Association ' Boston, MA; June 1, 1869, National Photographic Association, Horticulture Hall, Organized by J.W. Black
Other Collections:
National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.
Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Athens, GA
Snite Museum of Art, Notre Dame, IN
Boston Athenæum, Boston MA
George Eastman House, Rochester, NY
Library Company of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA
South Carolina Historical Society, Charleston, SC
National Gallery of Canada, Ottowa