This ninth plate ambrotype depicts a seated male violinist posed mid-performance, holding the instrument under his chin with the bow drawn across the strings. The violin is clearly rendered, with visible f-holes, bridge, and tuning pegs, and the bow is held correctly in the right hand, suggesting genuine familiarity rather than a studio prop hastily placed for effect. Musical occupational portraits of this clarity are uncommon in ambrotypes, particularly at this scale.

The sitter wears a dark jacket over a waistcoat with a neatly tied bow tie, paired with patterned trousers. His hair is carefully dressed and parted, and his expression is serious and concentrated, consistent with mid-19th-century portrait conventions but especially appropriate for a professional musician. The pose is deliberate and balanced, with the violin angled outward to maximize visibility of the instrument, indicating the photographer’s awareness of the subject’s identity and intent.

The image is housed in a scalloped gilt brass mat with strong original toning and subtle oxidation, framing the plate attractively. The ambrotype itself shows scattered surface marks and light abrasions consistent with age, but retains strong contrast and legibility. Overall, this is a compelling occupational portrait documenting 19th-century musical practice, combining technical clarity, intentional posing, and a subject rarely encountered in ambrotype form.