Title:

[Unidentified woman, formerly identified as Lola Montez]

Description:

Content/DescriptionSeated young woman, wearing dark lace shawl and matching earrings and brooch. Photographed with an unusual elevated camera angle, with subject looking slightly upward. The sitter was formerly identified, presumably by collector Zelda MacKay, as celebrity Lola Montez (1818-1861). This identification, questioned by many, is almost certainly incorrect. The sitter appears to be younger than her late 30s. Comparison to known Montez portraits reveals little resemblance, other than large wide-set eyes and the suggestion of a vaguely Spanish style.

Date:

[ca. 1854-1858]

Contributing Institution:

UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library