| Contributor |
McAllister, John A. 1822-1896, collector. |
| Title |
Dan Bryant. [graphic]. |
| Publisher |
[United States] |
| Publisher |
UNITED STATES. 1865 |
| Date |
[ca. 1865] |
| Physical Description |
1 photograph : albumen on card mount ; mount 11 x 7 cm (4 x 2.5 in.) (carte de visite format) |
| Description |
Full-length portrait of the popular New York minstrel performer and manager in Blackface and costumed as a disheveled 18th-century
gentleman. Bryant stands posed with his right hand on his hip and his left hand holding a sword to the ground while looking
up to the left. Known for his versatility as a comedian, actor, dancer, and musician, Bryant was most famous for his rendition
of the dance, "Essence of Old Virginny," and for popularizing the songs "Dixie," "Turkey in the Straw," and "Shoo Fly." He
performed in Philadelphia in September 1856. "Blackface minstrelsy is a popular entertainment form, originating in the United
States in the mid-19th century and remaining in American life through the 20th century. The form is based around stereotypical
and racist portrayals of African Americans, including mocking dialect, parodic lyrics, and the application of Black face paint;
all designed to portray African Americans as othered subjects of humor and disrespect. Blackface was a dominant form for theatrical
and musical performances for decades, both on stage and in private homes."
|
| Notes |
Title from manuscript note on mount. |
|
Date based on presented age of the sitter. |
|
Description of Blackface minstrelsy from Dorothy Berry, Descriptive Equity and Clarity around Blackface Minstrelsy in H(arvard)
T(heater) C(ollection) Collections, 2021.
|
|
Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of portraits. McAllister Collection, gift, 1886. |
|
RVCDC |
|
Description revised 2021. |
|
Access points revised 2021. |
|
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom
Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
|
| Subject |
Bryant, Dan, 1833-1875 -- Portraits. |
|
Actors. |
|
African Americans -- Performance & portrayals. |
|
Blackface entertainers -- United States. |
|
Minstrel shows. |
|
Racism in popular culture. |
| Genre |
Albumen prints -- 1860-1870. |
|
Cartes de visite -- 1860-1870. |
|
Portrait photographs -- 1860-1870 |
| Provenance |
McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector. |
| Location |
Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| portrait cdvs - sitter - Bryant [(1)5750.F.60f] |
| Accession number |
(1)5750.F.60f |
