The Kate and Robert Johnson photograph album contains interior and exterior images of the Johnsons' homes and grounds in San Francisco, and Menlo Park, California, as well as portraits of the Johnsons, their family members, and friends photographed at these locations. The pictures, taken by Eadweard Muybridge circa 1880, also include examples of spirit photography.
The Kate and Robert Johnson photograph album (30 x 25 cm) contains 84 images of the Johnsons' homes on O'Farrell Street in San Francisco, California, and "Heartsease" near Menlo Park, California, taken by Eadweard Muybridge circa 1880. The album has a pebbled brown cover with a binder's ticket from Partridge & Cooper, 192 Fleet St. [London].
The first group of 42 images consists of exterior and interior views of their San Francisco mansion, including views of parlors, bedrooms, and children's rooms. A few individual portraits taken on the premises are included. Of particular note are several spirit photographs of Robert and Kate Johnson, both of whom were alive at the time (20, 21, 24, 29). The couple's art collection is often visible including the painting "Elaine" by Toby Rosenthal. Furniture and decorative arts objects appear and reappear in different rooms and positions in the carefully composed images. In one image (37), it is possibly the photographer Muybridge who appears in a mirror reflection. The section ends with a close portrait of Robert C. Johnson.
The remaining 42 photographs are scenes from the Johnsons' "Heartsease" estate near Menlo Park, California. While the San Francisco photographs focus primarily on room interiors, the Menlo Park photographs mostly show the grounds and surroundings. Two images include sporting activities: a girl riding a young pony (70) and a group of men and women playing croquet (60). A photographic title page image for this section includes Muybridge's pseudonym "Helios" (44). Also included is a portrait of one of Kate Johnson's numerous cats, her affinity for which was well-documented (43).
This album showcases Muybridge’s interest in urban architecture and landscape photography, his success in earning commissions from notable men and women, while also touching on San Francisco’s rapidly developing wealth. It highlights the Johnsons' ornate mansion, their expansive art collection, and features both their urban homestead and rural retreat simultaneously. Moreover, with portraits, staged "spirit" photographs, and landscape scenes placed alongside more traditional photographs of the Johnsons' homes, the album speaks to Muybridge’s multiple artistic talents and the nuances of the Johnson’s personalities.
