A young woman stands in full length holding a banjo at her side, photographed by Hennigar Bros. at 136 Main Street, Middletown, Connecticut. The mount's typography and the subject's dress place the image in the mid-to-late 1880s, consistent with the studio's known period of operation.

She wears a light-colored bustle gown with gathered and tiered skirts, lace-trimmed short sleeves over long fitted undersleeves, and a pearl or beaded choker at the throat. A small spray of dried or artificial flowers is tucked at the banjo's neck, just above the frets, and she gazes off to her left with a composed, slightly elevated expression. A carved wooden chair is visible at the left edge of the frame against a painted backdrop with floral motifs.

The banjo itself is a full-size open-back instrument with a tacked head and bracket hardware clearly defined, consistent with parlor banjos popular among young women of the period during the American banjo craze of the 1880s.

The reverse bears a decorated red imprint reading "Hennigar Photographer, 136 Main St., Middletown-Conn." with an artist's palette motif, engraved by E.W. Massey. A penciled notation "110" appears at the upper right corner.

From the collection of James Lee Soffer