For centuries children were portrayed in paintings, and even in photographs, as miniature adults. This boy, however, is clearly a boy, and his hands suggest he is not a very old boy at that. His pose - in the same fringed chair both his mother and father are photographed in - is curiously relaxed. Perhaps there were practical considerations for his posture: since a subject had to sit quietly for many seconds to expose the photographic media of the day, it is possible his pose was chosen so he could maintain it for a sufficiently long time.

He is wearing a long frock coat - very grown-up - on which the buttons look disproportionately large. On the other hand, the tie at his neck is not a true necktie or cravat, but looks like a piece of ribbon, and would be suitable for a child’s outfit.

Behind Son Leonard is a painted theatrical backdrop. What appear to be holes in the carpet are, it seems, flowers, though even high magnification doesn’t provide good detail.

This picture, like the other photographs in the Leonard Family series, was taken by the Beardsley Brothers of Ithaca, NY, on September 6, 1865.

Patricia and Carolyn have attempted to identify all persons in the album and learn more about them through research of various records. If you can help us identify or add further information to this photo, please contact: