Portrait of an unidentified woman
Photographer
William James Hall
(Australian, 1877 - 1951)
Datec 1930
Object number00013170
NameNitrate Negative
MediumEmulsion on nitrate film
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Transfer from the Mitchell Library
DescriptionStudio portrait of a woman in a dress with flower applique on one shoulder.HistoryThis image of an unidentified woman was taken in the photography studio of William Frederick Hall and his son William James Hall. William Hall (senior) established the studio in Sydney in 1890 and the family business was a well-known establishment in Sydney for many decades.
Both Hall men were also keen on sailing, although it is said that neither were sailors but enjoyed photographing the regular and numerous races on Sydney Harbour each weekend. Each Monday, Hall would display photographs of weekend races on Sydney Harbour in the window of his studio at 20 Hunter Street.
A diverse business, in addition to studio portraits and sailing shots, Hall also were known for their aerial, landscape, portraiture, city and rural photography.
William F Hall and William J Hall established a number of photographic studios. Known at different times as Hall studio, Hall & Co, W F Hall and Hall W the businesses were located variously at 7 Castlereagh Street, 39, 44 and 70 Hunter Street, 91 Phillip Street and 21 Blight Street in Sydney city from 1890 onwards.SignificanceThe Hall photographic collection provides an important pictorial record of recreational boating in Sydney Harbour from the 1890s to the 1930s. The collection documents the lively sailing scene in Sydney during this period and features images of vessels ranging from large racing and cruising yachts to the great array of skiffs and the emerging technologies of motorboats. Images of the many spectators and crowds who supported and followed the sailing races are also included in this visual record.
