Germans Dressed as Germans
SOLD October 2010 |
Cabinet-card format photograph of six Germans dressed up in German ethnic costume, circa 1885 by Oskar Rothe, Desden. With gilt imprint front "Nachtaufnahme mit Magnesiumlicht: Oskar Rothe, Dresden / Schaferstrasse No. 37" and reverse "Photograph. Artist Anstalt von Oskar Rothe / Dresden / Schaferstrasse No. 37 / Specialitat Nachtaufnahmen mit Magnesiumlicht. Ausfuhrung der Bilder den Tagesaufnahmen gleichwertig. Kostum-, Masken- & Hochzeitsfeste, Christbeschwerungen, sowie Zimmeraufnahmen an jedem gewunschten Orte."
Rothe's reverse imprint would translate as: "...Specialty in night time photographs by magnesium light. Quality of the images equal to daytime photographs. Costume, Masked & Marriage Celebrations, Christenings, as well as interior photographs at any location desired."
The reference to costume balls and similar events probably relates directly the situation of these sitters, as their "German peasant costumes" were no longer of the sort worn by anyone in downtown Dresden by this time, other than at costume events or related celebrations.
