Walt & Pete

Célibataire 027 | Portrait of a Black Man in a Suit | Late 19th-Century Vintage Photograph Framed Matte Canvas

A Black man in a dark suit looks slightly beyond the camera, his face set against a pale studio background. Célibataire 027 brings this late nineteenth-century portrait into the home as a restored, colorized historical photograph reproduced on framed matte canvas.

Estimated in the supplied record to circa 1885–1895, the portrait draws attention to the sitter’s formal clothing and carefully arranged composition. A jacket and waistcoat frame a light shirt and folded tie. Small metallic-looking ornaments appear on the jacket and near the waistcoat, adding points of detail without revealing a documented affiliation or occupation. His short, closely curled hair, neutral expression, and slightly turned head give the photograph its individual character.

The restored image combines subdued gray clothing, a muted reddish-brown tie, and warm background tones. A soft vignette fades the lower torso into the surrounding pale field, keeping attention on the face and upper body. These colors belong to the contemporary colorized reproduction; the original colors of the sitter’s clothing are not documented.

This vintage photograph is part of the Walt & Pete® Célibataire Collection, a series of restored historical portraits featuring individual male subjects in studio and outdoor settings. Through clothing, expression, posture, and composition, the collection preserves distinctive moments of individual presence. Its name refers to one man pictured and does not establish the sitter’s relationship status or sexuality.

For collectors drawn to Black historical portraiture, this image places a Black man’s individual likeness at the center of the composition. For contemporary LGBTQ+ audiences, including Black queer collectors, it also offers an opportunity to find personal connection through themes of visibility, self-presentation, and belonging. The sitter’s name and life story remain undocumented; the portrait can be appreciated for what it preserves without assigning him an invented biography.

Displayed in a living room, bedroom, study, or gallery wall, Célibataire 027 brings a softly rendered human presence to an interior. It is a thoughtful choice for collectors of vintage male portraiture and for anyone creating a home in which Black representation and historical photography have a meaningful place.

Original Photograph Record

Title: Bust Portrait of Man in Suit with Studio Imprint “Burgess, Hobery, Ames”

Date (estimated): 1885–1895

The estimated date is based on the subject’s attire, including a fitted jacket, waistcoat, high-collared shirt, and narrow necktie typical of late 19th-century menswear. The printed studio imprint along the lower mount margin and the card format are consistent with cabinet card portrait conventions popular during the 1880s–1890s. The overall tonal character and mount presentation further support this timeframe.

Photographer: Burgess (studio imprint visible)

Place of Production: Hobery, Ames (as printed on mount; precise geographic identification Unknown)

Medium: Albumen print mounted on card

Dimensions: Cabinet card format, 4¼ × 6½ in.

Why You’ll Love It

A distinctive late nineteenth-century portrait of a Black man in formal attire.
Jacket, waistcoat, folded tie, and small ornaments reward close looking.
Soft vignette and restrained colorization keep attention on the sitter.
Meaningful imagery for collectors of Black portraiture and contemporary LGBTQ+ audiences.
A historical photograph reproduced as framed matte canvas for a study, bedroom, or gallery wall.

Product Features