PHOTORIA

Portrait of a woman, her hand resting against a book, under which is a letter or other document. The sitter’s gaze is off into the distance, begging the question who might be the intended recipient of this photograph? Clara Birkin has used her skill to coax her sitter to use this opportunity to show her emotion. Cabinet Card. Taken between 1887 and 1896. Photoria Collection

Portrait of a gentleman. Cabinet Card taken around c1896 at the Vandyck Studio. Although, the man is facing just to his left, his eyes have shifted further to the left. Perhaps he was coaxed by Clara Birkin so as to give the portrait some interest. Photoria Collection

Portrait of a toddler, seated on a chair, dressed in typical fashion of the late 1880s. The child is staring intently at something to the right of the camera. Might Clara Birkin, if not taking the photograph herself, be holding the child’s attention through some action or another? Cabinet card. Taken at the Vandyck Studio. Photoria Collection.

Portrait of toddler, Douglas Robertson McBean. Taken June 1895, at the VanDyck Studio, next to the GPO. A very self-possessed toddler, hands in pockets, a jaunty tilt of his head and a wonderful warm smile. Clara Birkins’ skilled hand is realised in this large hand-coloured panel portrait. Photoria Collection.

Portrait of a girl seated in a rocking chair and holding her doll. The young girl sits with crossed feet and looks at ease holding her doll. Perhaps Clara Birkin suggested the rocking chair as a way for the girl to have a little fun before she had to sit still for the camera. Cabinet card taken at Vandyck Studio, 274 Collins St, c. 1900s. Photoria Collection.

Portrait of Lily, a woman deep in thought, seated, and leaning on a chair. Who is she thinking about? We can imagine Clara Birkin talking to her client about who the photograph might be sent to – a distant loved one perhaps? Cabinet card, taken in the late 1890s at 274 Collins St, Melbourne. Photoria Collection.

Portrait of a young woman seated at a writing desk, pen in hand. As the sitter looks off into the distance we can imagine her thinking of a loved one. Perhaps it was Clara Birkin who suggested this pose so the receiver would understand the writer’s emotions. Cabinet card taken at Vandyck Studio, 274 Collins St, c. 1900s. Photoria Collection.