[Two Unidentified Men]

Although the use of painted backdrops dates almost from photography's inception, many American photographers did not use them extensively until the 1860s. However, these painted backdrops are especially prevalent in African American studio portraits. Many feature idealized landscapes such as this waterfall or architectural views (see 812.1990) that transport the sitters into different class, geographic, or historical realities. Another work in the collection has the identical backdrop.