Carte de visite albumen portrait of a seated artist posed with palette and brushes in a studio interior, circa 1860s–1870s. A finished painting depicting mounted riders and horses is visible on an easel behind him.

The reverse bears a faint pencil inscription that appears to read “Franz Adam.” Franz Adam (1815–1886) was a German painter noted for military and equestrian subjects, particularly cavalry scenes. The subject matter of the painting visible in the photograph corresponds closely with Adam’s known work.