Marian Adams (Boston, 1843 - 1885, Washington DC)
General Nelson A. Miles, 1885
Platinum print, 21.3 x 13.1 cm (8 3/8 x 5 3/16 in.)
In this black and white portrait photograph, General Nelson A. Miles sits in profile facing to his left. He is a light skinned middle-aged man with dark, close-cropped hair and a full bushy mustache. His left arm rests on the back of his wooden chair with a large square ring visible on his left hand. He wears a dark formal coat with an embroidered geometric decoration on the sleeve. Dark fabric with a few large white stars is seen draped behind his right shoulder. Miles’ signature is at the bottom center of the photograph and the signature of the photographer Marian Adams is in the lower right corner along with the date, March 3 1885.
Long Gallery
Commentary
Marian “Clover” Adams photographed her friend and former Civil War general for the Union Army Nelson A. Miles in 1885. Posed in profile with a star-studded flag artfully draped behind him, Clover’s dexterity with the gradation of light to dark is evident.
Miles was also an acquaintance of Isabella’s, and she kept this photograph in the Presidents and Statesmen Case in the Long Gallery. Alongside it are memorabilia related to other American dignitaries and politicians.