This gelatin dry plate negative was taken by Oliver E. Aultman (1867-1953) at the Aultman family home in Trinidad, Colorado circa 1915. The image depicts his wife, Susan Jane "Jennie" Aultman (1875-1961), bent over a hand-operated sewing machine. Jennie is turned away from the photographer, so only her back and part of her face are visible. She wears wire glasses, a dark colored dress and a white, ruffled apron. Her right hand is extended toward the sewing machine. Beyond Jennie, a window lights the room. A curtain visible in the window.
The Aultman Studio (Trinidad, Colo.) operated out of Trinidad from 1889-2000. Oliver E. Aultman founded the studio and was its chief photographer until his son, Glenn Aultman (1904-2000) took over the business in the early 1950's. Otis Aultman, Oliver's younger brother, also operated at photography studio in the Trinidad area from 1892-1907. Several of his images are included in the Aultman Studio collection. While the Aultmans mostly produced studio portraits of Trinidad's residents, they also shot images of landscapes, streets scenes, mining operations, buildings, and local events. This photograph is part the Aultman Studio photograph collection (Ph.00500).