Pardee

circa 1892 – circa 1902

Victorian

Pardee Studio operated in Brooklyn during a period when New York City was one of the most important photographic centers in the United States. Brooklyn’s rapidly growing population and expanding middle class created strong demand for professional portraiture. Urban studios like Pardee often featured elaborate architectural props and fashionable wardrobe styling to meet the tastes of city families seeking refined likenesses. New York studios frequently influenced national portrait trends, making their work representative of mainstream Victorian photographic aesthetics.

American; late 19th-century childhood portraiture reflecting Victorian fashion aesthetics and formal studio presentation traditions.

Fair

Mar 8, 2026

• Mount shows edge wear and corner damage • Lower mount partially torn • Surface abrasions and light foxing • Mild fading consistent with albumen process • Image remains clear with moderate contrast

Historical Note

During the late nineteenth century, children’s clothing reflected adult fashion influences while incorporating decorative elements that emphasized innocence and social polish. Large neck bows and ornate collars were popular among boys of urban middle-class families. Albumen photography, dominant during this era, produced warm tones but often fades and yellows with age. Studio portraits served as formal family records displayed in parlors and compiled into albums.