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William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons

In 1856 William Notman was a fugitive from the law. But in less than a decade this Montreal artist transformed his fortune and the world of photography. Read…
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By 1860 Notman had joined the craze for the newly fashionable cartes-de-visite. His process cut production costs by rendering eight small negatives on the same plate and enabled prints to be made from the negative. Notman & Sandham, “Notman & Sandham Carte-de-Visite Mailing Envelope,” c. 1880, McCord Museum. Canadian Winter, Blanket Coat, Snowshoe, Red River, Parsons, Early 20th Century, Craze, Online Art, Montreal
Canadian Winter
Blanket Coat
Snowshoe
Red River
Parsons
Early 20th Century
Craze
Online Art
Montreal
By 1860 Notman had joined the craze for the newly fashionable cartes-de-visite. His process cut production costs by rendering eight small negatives on the same plate and enabled prints to be made from the negative. Notman & Sandham, “Notman & Sandham Carte-de-Visite Mailing Envelope,” c. 1880, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
William Notman’s work on a functional magnesium flare also helped to stage his studio scenes. “Around the Camp Fire, Caribou Hunting Series,” Montreal, 1866, McCord Museum. Caribou Hunting, Native American Indians, Native Americans, American Heritage, North American, Aboriginal People, Canadian History, Mountain Man, Historical Pictures
Caribou Hunting
Native American Indians
Native Americans
American Heritage
North American
Aboriginal People
Canadian History
Mountain Man
Historical Pictures
William Notman’s work on a functional magnesium flare also helped to stage his studio scenes. “Around the Camp Fire, Caribou Hunting Series,” Montreal, 1866, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
William Notman preferred the tricky and complicated process of the wet collodion process over the more popular daguerreotype. “Missie Alice Notman in Sleigh with Nurse,” Montreal, 1865, McCord Museum. Card Photography, Studio Photography, Montreal Qc, Positive Images, Daguerreotype, Photo Editing Software, Museum Collection, Sleigh
Card Photography
Studio Photography
Montreal Qc
Positive Images
Daguerreotype
Photo Editing Software
Museum Collection
Sleigh
William Notman preferred the tricky and complicated process of the wet collodion process over the more popular daguerreotype. “Missie Alice Notman in Sleigh with Nurse,” Montreal, 1865, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
William Notman created the “house style” of the studio, rather than an individual style, which allowed him to open studios in other cities. “Notman & Fraser Photographic Studio,” Toronto, 1868, McCord Museum. Toronto Ontario Canada, Open Studio, Photographic Studio, Photo Essay, Fraser, Marina Bay Sands, Vintage Photos, Williams
Toronto Ontario Canada
Open Studio
Photographic Studio
Photo Essay
Fraser
Marina Bay Sands
Vintage Photos
Williams
William Notman created the “house style” of the studio, rather than an individual style, which allowed him to open studios in other cities. “Notman & Fraser Photographic Studio,” Toronto, 1868, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
Although “William Notman” is stamped on thousands of photographs, it indicates the studio and not necessarily photographs taken by William Notman himself. “Adolphe Vogt, John Fraser and Henry Sandham, Notman Staff,” Montreal, 1868, McCord Museum. Canada, Photographs, Photos, A Decade, Recognition
Canada
Photographs
Photos
A Decade
Recognition
Although “William Notman” is stamped on thousands of photographs, it indicates the studio and not necessarily photographs taken by William Notman himself. “Adolphe Vogt, John Fraser and Henry Sandham, Notman Staff,” Montreal, 1868, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
This hand-tinted portrait illustrates William Notman’s impressive aesthetic range and flexibility. “Master Hugh Allan,” Montreal, 1867, McCord Museum. Scottish Dress, Scottish Art, Scottish Clans, Scottish People, Scottish Culture, Scotland Highlands, Scottish Highlands, The Highlands, Scotland Castles
Scottish Dress
Scottish Art
Scottish Clans
Scottish People
Scottish Culture
Scotland Highlands
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands
Scotland Castles
This hand-tinted portrait illustrates William Notman’s impressive aesthetic range and flexibility. “Master Hugh Allan,” Montreal, 1867, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
Each of William Notman’s photographic styles required a different camera. This large-format view camera from c. 1870 was manufactured by Scovill in Waterbury, Connecticut. Waterbury Connecticut, Large Format, Cameras, Book Art, Sarah, Work, Life
Waterbury Connecticut
Large Format
Cameras
Book Art
Sarah
Work
Life
Each of William Notman’s photographic styles required a different camera. This large-format view camera from c. 1870 was manufactured by Scovill in Waterbury, Connecticut.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, was among Notman’s high-profile clients. William Notman, “John A. Macdonald, Politician,” Montreal, 1863, McCord Museum. Edward Curtis, First Prime Minister, Important People, Mclaughlin
Edward Curtis
First Prime Minister
Important People
Mclaughlin
Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, was among Notman’s high-profile clients. William Notman, “John A. Macdonald, Politician,” Montreal, 1863, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
Recognizing the appeal of belonging to prominent groups, Notman advertised and grew the field of class portraits as well as images of athletic associations and other markers of bourgeois sociability and success. Notman/Topley Studio, “Fancy Ball Given by the Governor General Lord Dufferin at Rideau Hall on February 23, 1876,” Ottawa, composite, 1876, Library and Archives Canada. Fancy Ball, Belonging, Ottawa, Governor
Fancy Ball
Belonging
Ottawa
Governor
Recognizing the appeal of belonging to prominent groups, Notman advertised and grew the field of class portraits as well as images of athletic associations and other markers of bourgeois sociability and success. Notman/Topley Studio, “Fancy Ball Given by the Governor General Lord Dufferin at Rideau Hall on February 23, 1876,” Ottawa, composite, 1876, Library and Archives Canada.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
Kent Monkman is a Canadian artist of Cree ancestry whose works subvert the 19th-century Westernized image of Canadian indigenous peoples. Kent Monkman, “The Emergence of a Legend” (5/5), 2006. Canadian Artists, Indigenous Peoples, Ancestry, Kent, 19th Century
Canadian Artists
Indigenous Peoples
Ancestry
Kent
19th Century
Kent Monkman is a Canadian artist of Cree ancestry whose works subvert the 19th-century Westernized image of Canadian indigenous peoples. Kent Monkman, “The Emergence of a Legend” (5/5), 2006.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
Canadian artist Kent Monkman “employs honour, irony and subversive wit... to reimagine a 19th century Canadian frontier in which the red men get the jump... on the white men.” Winnipeg Free Press. Kent Monkman, “Shooting Geronimo,” 2007, distributed by Vtape. Sitting Bull, Geronimo, Irony, White Man
Sitting Bull
Geronimo
Irony
White Man
Canadian artist Kent Monkman “employs honour, irony and subversive wit... to reimagine a 19th century Canadian frontier in which the red men get the jump... on the white men.” Winnipeg Free Press. Kent Monkman, “Shooting Geronimo,” 2007, distributed by Vtape.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
William Notman did not pioneer the composite, but he and his team of artists developed it in ingenious ways that thrilled his clients, built new audiences, and brought him great fame. William Notman & Son, “The Bounce,” Montreal Snowshoe Club, 1886, McCord Museum. Canadian Art, Canadian People, Commonwealth, Sepia Photography, Celebrity Photographers, The Calling, Capote
Canadian Art
Canadian People
Commonwealth
Sepia Photography
Celebrity Photographers
The Calling
Capote
William Notman did not pioneer the composite, but he and his team of artists developed it in ingenious ways that thrilled his clients, built new audiences, and brought him great fame. William Notman & Son, “The Bounce,” Montreal Snowshoe Club, 1886, McCord Museum.
Musée McCord Stewart Museum
Musée McCord Stewart Museum
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
In his handbook for sitters, “Photography: Things You Ought to Know,” Notman advises that “lace scarfs, open mantles, shawls, etc., greatly assist in securing graceful flowing lines.” William Notman, “Mrs. William Notman Senior,” Montreal, 1865, McCord Museum. Victorian Photos, Victorian Women, Victorian Era, 19th Century Women, 19th Century Fashion, Research Images, Classic Portraits, Studio Backdrops
Victorian Photos
Victorian Women
Victorian Era
19th Century Women
19th Century Fashion
Research Images
Classic Portraits
Studio Backdrops
In his handbook for sitters, “Photography: Things You Ought to Know,” Notman advises that “lace scarfs, open mantles, shawls, etc., greatly assist in securing graceful flowing lines.” William Notman, “Mrs. William Notman Senior,” Montreal, 1865, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
William Notman was also very fashion conscious and would counsel his sitters on the best dress to pose in. “The best materials, and those which look the richest, are silks, satins, reps and winceys.” Wm Notman & Son, “Miss Emily Notman,” Montreal, 1889, McCord Museum. Old Pictures, Old Photos, 1800s Fashion, Edwardian Fashion, Historical Photos, Historical Costume, Historical Clothing, Victorian Photography
Old Pictures
Old Photos
1800s Fashion
Edwardian Fashion
Historical Photos
Historical Costume
Historical Clothing
Victorian Photography
William Notman was also very fashion conscious and would counsel his sitters on the best dress to pose in. “The best materials, and those which look the richest, are silks, satins, reps and winceys.” Wm Notman & Son, “Miss Emily Notman,” Montreal, 1889, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
A wonderful “Canadiana” composite of composites by Notman, showing his adeptness at the technique. Wm. Notman & Son, “Canada That We Love and Prize,” composite of composites, 1882, McCord Museum. Yesteryear, Museum
Yesteryear
Museum
A wonderful “Canadiana” composite of composites by Notman, showing his adeptness at the technique. Wm. Notman & Son, “Canada That We Love and Prize,” composite of composites, 1882, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
Composites, a technique William Notman became quite famous for, were created from hundreds of individual portraits, like this one. William Notman, “F. Townsend,” taken for a composite, Montreal, 1872, McCord Museum. Edwardian Era, Victorian, Townsend, Ballad, Individuality
Edwardian Era
Victorian
Townsend
Ballad
Individuality
Composites, a technique William Notman became quite famous for, were created from hundreds of individual portraits, like this one. William Notman, “F. Townsend,” taken for a composite, Montreal, 1872, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
A backdrop in the yard behind Notman’s studio allowed for posed, focused rider-and-horse portraits like this one. Wm. Notman & Son, “Mrs. Coghlin and Horse,” Montreal, 1883, McCord Museum. 1880s Fashion, Victorian Costume, Horse Portrait, Equine Photography, Photo Reference, Equines, Mtb
1880s Fashion
Victorian Costume
Horse Portrait
Equine Photography
Photo Reference
Equines
Mtb
A backdrop in the yard behind Notman’s studio allowed for posed, focused rider-and-horse portraits like this one. Wm. Notman & Son, “Mrs. Coghlin and Horse,” Montreal, 1883, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
William Notman’s studio portraits made full use of the props in his well-equipped studio rooms. Wm. Notman & Son, “Charles F. Notman and Friend, Fencing,” Montreal, 1887, McCord Museum. Canadian Pacific Railway, Leisure Activities, Man Photo, Studio Portraits, Sportsman, Portrait Photographers, Over The Years
Canadian Pacific Railway
Leisure Activities
Man Photo
Studio Portraits
Sportsman
Portrait Photographers
Over The Years
William Notman’s studio portraits made full use of the props in his well-equipped studio rooms. Wm. Notman & Son, “Charles F. Notman and Friend, Fencing,” Montreal, 1887, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
This is the only pose in which Sitting Bull looks directly at the camera. Without the distractions of props, backdrop, or headdress, we are left to contemplate his calm, weathered face. William Notman & Son, “Sitting Bull,” Montreal, 1885, McCord Museum. Native American Warrior, Native American Pictures, Native American Beauty, Native American Tribes, Native American History, American Indians, American Pride, Native Indian
Native American Warrior
Native American Pictures
Native American Beauty
Native American Tribes
Native American History
American Indians
American Pride
Native Indian
This is the only pose in which Sitting Bull looks directly at the camera. Without the distractions of props, backdrop, or headdress, we are left to contemplate his calm, weathered face. William Notman & Son, “Sitting Bull,” Montreal, 1885, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
William Notman’s composition makes a marked contrast between the active and preening image of Buffalo Bill and the still and sombre image of Sitting Bull. William Notman & Son, “Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill,” Montreal, 1885, McCord Museum. Man Sitting, Native American Photos, Buffalo Bills, American West, American Icons
Man Sitting
Native American Photos
Buffalo Bills
American West
American Icons
William Notman’s composition makes a marked contrast between the active and preening image of Buffalo Bill and the still and sombre image of Sitting Bull. William Notman & Son, “Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill,” Montreal, 1885, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
In this solo portrait, Sitting Bull is wearing a large headdress, which creates lyrical lines and textures in the finished print. William Notman & Son, “Sitting Bull,” Montreal, 1885, McCord Museum. American Indian Art
American Indian Art
In this solo portrait, Sitting Bull is wearing a large headdress, which creates lyrical lines and textures in the finished print. William Notman & Son, “Sitting Bull,” Montreal, 1885, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
Of course William Notman was somewhat of a fashion coach as well as a chronicler. In his helpful handbook for sitters, “Photography: Things You Ought to Know,” he counsels, “Lace scarfs, open mantles, shawls, etc., greatly assist in securing graceful flowing lines.” Wm. Notman & Son, “Miss Fraser,” Montreal, 1897, McCord Museum. 1890s Fashion, Vintage Fashion, High Society, Vintage Photographs, Belle Epoque Fashion, Victoria Reign, Grace Beauty
1890s Fashion
Vintage Fashion
High Society
Vintage Photographs
Belle Epoque Fashion
Victoria Reign
Grace Beauty
Of course William Notman was somewhat of a fashion coach as well as a chronicler. In his helpful handbook for sitters, “Photography: Things You Ought to Know,” he counsels, “Lace scarfs, open mantles, shawls, etc., greatly assist in securing graceful flowing lines.” Wm. Notman & Son, “Miss Fraser,” Montreal, 1897, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
William Notman’s clients pose in costume for the Historical Fancy Dress Ball, part of the pomp and pageantry of the bourgeoisie that Notman capitalized on. Wm. Notman & Son, “Herbert Molson and His Sister Naomi Molson as ‘Vikings,’ Costumed for Chateau de Ramezay Ball,” Montreal, 1898, McCord Museum. Fancy Dress Ball, Dress Up, Vikings, Viking Costume, Well Heeled, Pageantry, Gowns Of Elegance, Pomp, Portrait
Fancy Dress Ball
Dress Up
Vikings
Viking Costume
Well Heeled
Pageantry
Gowns Of Elegance
Pomp
Portrait
William Notman’s clients pose in costume for the Historical Fancy Dress Ball, part of the pomp and pageantry of the bourgeoisie that Notman capitalized on. Wm. Notman & Son, “Herbert Molson and His Sister Naomi Molson as ‘Vikings,’ Costumed for Chateau de Ramezay Ball,” Montreal, 1898, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
William Notman’s sitters became full participants in the studio experience, often presenting themselves in their finest clothes, leaving historians with an impressive archive of Victorian Canadian fashion. Wm. Notman & Son, “Annie G. McDougall in Notman’s Studio,” Montreal, 1888, McCord Museum. Victorian Homes, Antique Photos, Annie, Creative Writing Inspiration, Victorian Pictures
Victorian Homes
Antique Photos
Annie
Creative Writing Inspiration
Victorian Pictures
William Notman’s sitters became full participants in the studio experience, often presenting themselves in their finest clothes, leaving historians with an impressive archive of Victorian Canadian fashion. Wm. Notman & Son, “Annie G. McDougall in Notman’s Studio,” Montreal, 1888, McCord Museum.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons
The raised viewpoint and intense use of patterns flatten the space of Notman’s portraits of Mrs. William MacKenzie, rendering a photograph that looks almost like an Impressionist painting such as this one. Berthe Morisot, “The Mother and Sister of the Artist,” 1869/70, National Gallery of Art, Washington. National Gallery Of Art, Art Gallery, Portrait Gallery, Mary Cassatt, Renoir, French Impressionist Painters, Impressionist Paintings, Berthe Morisot, Édouard Manet
National Gallery Of Art
Art Gallery
Portrait Gallery
Mary Cassatt
Renoir
French Impressionist Painters
Impressionist Paintings
Berthe Morisot
Édouard Manet
The raised viewpoint and intense use of patterns flatten the space of Notman’s portraits of Mrs. William MacKenzie, rendering a photograph that looks almost like an Impressionist painting such as this one. Berthe Morisot, “The Mother and Sister of the Artist,” 1869/70, National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Art Canada Institute
Art Canada Institute
William Notman: Life & Work by Sarah Parsons