I purchased this at a consignment auction

I snagged this at a consignment auction. I am trying to learn more about it and how to properly care for it. It was in a frame but I took it out of the frame in order to clean the glass. It measures 23" x 33".
Second image is what is written on the back. Third is the entire back. Fourth is to show the edge of the piece and last pic is the signature.
When we took it apart, there was a Walmart box holding it in place and a World Bazaar paper bag glued on as a backing on the frame.

 

This appears to be what is called a "solar enlargement" of a much smaller photograph. The Rockswoods(?) Studio may have been both the photographer and the artist. When made is a bit confusing - 92? for 1892? on the front but 1913 on the back?

 

I'm tagging @Figtree3 because she is very experienced in old photography and photographers. She may recognize the studio name. Where did this come from?

 

I purchased it in NE Missouri

 

The clothing is from neither 1892 nor 1913. Early Victorian. 1850s/1860s.

Debora

 

I think everybody has already explained it. It could be a solar enlargement of an earlier photo. There is a chance that it isn't a solar enlargement, but instead a skilled drawing copying the people in an earlier photo. Something about it doesn't seem photographic to me. But maybe.

I'm going to guess that 1892 is the year the initial reproduction was made. I can't read for sure if it says Rockwood's. Appears to me to say Rock_wod's or possible Rockstad's, Rocksted's or something like that. IF it's a solar enlargement that could be who made it. Not sure. The date of 1913 on the back could be for any reason. Since it's written sideways, it could even be a framing date, or anything.

Debora is correct that the dates of clothing and hair are from a much earlier period than either of the dates on the paper image.

 

Well,it’s interesting. I have never even heard of a solar enlargement before.. So Thanks.. On the other hand if it is a drawing then it looks to be very well and skilfully done..

 

It would be good to see some detail enlargements. Ithink it says it's a "Study".
I think it's a sketch in preparation for same artist to do the family portrait in oil paints. This is a very common way that artists commission their painting work through out history.

The proportions of everyone and the table seem slightly off to be a photograph process.

 

Another name for solar enlargement was "crayon portrait." They were not always done in what we would call crayon now, but that was the name. You often see them in antique shops, etc. Basically, a photo (or negative) was projected with a special enlarger onto paper, and printed (and I don't remember the technicalities of how that worked). It resulted in a very light image that was then embellished with charcoal drawing, or pastel, or paint. It was a very popular thing from around the mid-19th century until about 1930-1940 or so.

They've been discussed here on the Antiquers site several times. Here are some links to information from other sites. I also saw some sites calling them crayon enlargements.

https://www.truthinphotography.org/crayon-portraits.html

https://sgarwood.com/node/52#:~:tex... was popular,emulsion producing a faint image.

This one will open a pdf article: http://resources.culturalheritage.org/pmgtopics/1989-volume-three/03_05_Albright.pdf

 

Thank you all - I really appreciate your input. I am attaching some close-ups for you @Antididiem

 

Appreciate the information and
links. Good to learn. Thank you

 

Thank you so much, that is an artist's rendering, not a photographic process.
The hands are a giveaway, and the dog's head is not quite anatomically correct.

 

Quite a handsome family grouping. I wonder how many of them survived into adulthood.

Debora