Studio Portraits with Bicycles

The other month we had a look at people and their bicycles--outdoors, riding, or posed close to a ride. This natural look, however, isn't the only one in the history of cyclist photographry. Particularly in the 19th century, people with an affection for their bicycles have used them as props in professional studio portraits as well. 

State Library of Queensland

A young man in a studio with a penny-farthing, Queensland, Australia, 19th C. Source

Smithsonian Institution

Artist Elihu Vedder in the studio with his bicycle, ca. 1910. Source

State Library of New South Wales

Schoolteacher Miss Marley, Narraburra, New South Wales, Australia, ca. 1910. Source

State Library and Archives Florida

A man with a penny-farthing, Tallahassee, Florida, 1885-1910. Source

State Library of New South Wales

Australian cyclist Reggie McNamara, ca. 1913. Source

Dundas Museum and Archives

A man (Wm. Tapp?) with a penny-farthing, 1860. Source

University of Washington Libraries

Japanese-American boys with bicycles, ca. 1909, Washington State. Source

State Library of Queensland

A girl with a lady's bicycle, Queensland, early 20th C. Source

State Library of Queensland

Australian long-distance cyclist G.E.B. Timewell--long-distance on a penny-farthing! 1885. Source

State Library of Queensland

A father and son with an improvised "studio" backdrop, taken by a travelling photographer, Queensland, early 20th C. Source

National Library of Ireland

The Waterford Bicycle Club, Ireland, 1909 (certainly also an Awkward Team Photo....). Source