#combinationphotography

This month, Masterman High School senior Diana Myers has undertaken the study of this combination photograph from 1884, titled “Eminent Women”, for her brief internship at the Library Company. According to Diana:

“Eminent Women,” a combination photograph of twelve notable American women, was composed in Notman’s Montreal studio in 1884 by a talented assistant, Eugene L’Africain. It was originally made as a cabinet card (similar in size to a postcard), which were common collector’s items, for advertising Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford, Connecticut. The twelve women never got together as a group, and may not have known each other. All the women were photographed separately in Notman’s Boston studio at some point in their lives. Notman and L’Africain likely pulled the photographic negatives held on file for each woman and combined them without asking for permission. 

Check out Diana’s blog post to learn more about her project.