Early photographic colorist at work in Nevada

19th century photographers employed artists to retouch photographs and apply colors to enhance the early black and white photographs. In what was a very competitive market , many photographers used these artist to increase profits and draw people into their studio.

This image shows an early photographic colorist working on a large albumen print of a woman. His employer is the well known Western Photographers Sutterley Brothers, who worked in Nevada, Utah and California in the 1860s- 70s.

This particular image is from Virginia (City), N. T. (Nevada Territory) and based on the backmark probably dates from the middle of 1864. Nevada became a state on 31 OCT 1864.

Second image is a close up shot of the colorist-- it is unmarked.

Reproduction of these images in any form is prohibited.