Photograph: "Mrs. Barnum's boudoir at Marina"
Scott, Byron
Nancy Fish Barnum (associated with)
Marina (associated with)
Farini (photography firm) (created by)
Nancy Fish Barnum (associated with)
Marina (associated with)
Farini (photography firm) (created by)
1889 – 1890 (Date manufactured/created)
Large photograph showing the decorated boudoir of P. T. Barnum's second wife, Nancy Fish Barnum. The photograph, mounted on heavy paperboard, is part of a set of interior and exterior views of the Barnums' home Marina in Bridgeport, Connecticut, taken soon after its completion. The home was designed by architects Longstaff and Hurd of Bridgeport in the Queen Anne style and was built between 1888 and 1889. It stood next to the Barnums' 1869 mansion Waldemere, in the area of Seaside Park, facing Long Island Sound. When the new home was completed, Waldemere was dismantled. The photographs were taken by Farini Photographs, likely between 1889-1890.
This photograph is one of two views of Mrs. Barnum's boudoir, a small sitting room where close female friends and family members might visit with Nancy and where she spent leisure time playing her banjo and reading. Though expensively decorated, the room was not meant to be seen by all visitors. The boudoir was probably connected to her bedroom, of which there are also two views. Even more than the bedroom, the boudoir reveals Nancy Fish Barnum's preference for the French aesthetic in interior decoration with its light colors, delicate furnishings, and airy, floral designs, including the elegant border of swags forming a border near the ceiling. The style is highlighted by walls painted with cherubs, romanticized figures, flowers, and musical instruments.
Prominent in this photograph is the corner fireplace with marble surrounding the opening, and a mirrored overmantel. The mantelpiece displays a pair of urn-shaped vases, a framed photograph, and a small candelabra. From the painted ceiling hangs an ornate brass chandelier with cut-glass globes. The "parquet" (patterned) floor is composed of different color woods. The round, three-legged tea table in the center and the pair of chairs are delicate in their styling, and are likely from France The table features a pierced brass rim (like a short fence) around the top. Two tea cups, a cream pitcher, teapot and a plate of biscuits or cookies are placed on the table. The chairs are upholstered in a multi-color patterned silk. The draperies at the window are also of a floral-patterned silk, though a different design. Against the wall stands a tall Japanese vase, an object that appears in other photographs of the house, suggesting it was a favorite item. (This vase is now in the Barnum Museum's collection.) Other personal items included in the view are a large white feather fan placed on the table to the left of the fireplace, where there is also a photograph of an infant, possibly one of P. T. Barnum's several grandchildren, a small book and decorative trinkets.
The back of the photo support mount is black, save for the gold print that names the photographer as "Farini Photographs. 61 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, Conn."
This photograph came in a large paper envelope with a stamped space at the top for recording the number of the photograph, its name (title) and remarks. This photograph is noted as No. 12, and "Mrs. Barnum's boudoir at 'Marina'" is filled in under remarks.
Nancy Fish Barnum sent these images to the Joshua Cunliffe family, friends of hers who lived in England. The photographs transferred into the possession of another at some point, and were then obtained by an antiques dealer in Blackford Bridge, Bury, Lancashire, England. The photographs came to the attention of Barnum Museum curator Kenneth B. Holmes, who purchased them on behalf of the museum while in England for Christmas vacation in December 1970. An article about the initial discovery of the photographs were published in the Bridgeport Sunday Post on January 24, 1971.
This photograph is one of two views of Mrs. Barnum's boudoir, a small sitting room where close female friends and family members might visit with Nancy and where she spent leisure time playing her banjo and reading. Though expensively decorated, the room was not meant to be seen by all visitors. The boudoir was probably connected to her bedroom, of which there are also two views. Even more than the bedroom, the boudoir reveals Nancy Fish Barnum's preference for the French aesthetic in interior decoration with its light colors, delicate furnishings, and airy, floral designs, including the elegant border of swags forming a border near the ceiling. The style is highlighted by walls painted with cherubs, romanticized figures, flowers, and musical instruments.
Prominent in this photograph is the corner fireplace with marble surrounding the opening, and a mirrored overmantel. The mantelpiece displays a pair of urn-shaped vases, a framed photograph, and a small candelabra. From the painted ceiling hangs an ornate brass chandelier with cut-glass globes. The "parquet" (patterned) floor is composed of different color woods. The round, three-legged tea table in the center and the pair of chairs are delicate in their styling, and are likely from France The table features a pierced brass rim (like a short fence) around the top. Two tea cups, a cream pitcher, teapot and a plate of biscuits or cookies are placed on the table. The chairs are upholstered in a multi-color patterned silk. The draperies at the window are also of a floral-patterned silk, though a different design. Against the wall stands a tall Japanese vase, an object that appears in other photographs of the house, suggesting it was a favorite item. (This vase is now in the Barnum Museum's collection.) Other personal items included in the view are a large white feather fan placed on the table to the left of the fireplace, where there is also a photograph of an infant, possibly one of P. T. Barnum's several grandchildren, a small book and decorative trinkets.
The back of the photo support mount is black, save for the gold print that names the photographer as "Farini Photographs. 61 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, Conn."
This photograph came in a large paper envelope with a stamped space at the top for recording the number of the photograph, its name (title) and remarks. This photograph is noted as No. 12, and "Mrs. Barnum's boudoir at 'Marina'" is filled in under remarks.
Nancy Fish Barnum sent these images to the Joshua Cunliffe family, friends of hers who lived in England. The photographs transferred into the possession of another at some point, and were then obtained by an antiques dealer in Blackford Bridge, Bury, Lancashire, England. The photographs came to the attention of Barnum Museum curator Kenneth B. Holmes, who purchased them on behalf of the museum while in England for Christmas vacation in December 1970. An article about the initial discovery of the photographs were published in the Bridgeport Sunday Post on January 24, 1971.
1970.006.003 WX