Coming to and from the market, Basseterre
C. C. Lyon
Category
Photographs
Date
Unknown
Materials
Photographic paper, Card
Measurements
253 x 298 mm
Place of origin
St. Kitts and Nevis
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1331828
Caption
Going to and from the market in Basseterre, St Kitts, local men, women and children carrying their baskets of produce pause for the camera of photographer Carl Constantine Lyon. Lyon lived and worked in Basseterre for many years, while also travelling to neighbouring islands and the United States. An 1869 advertisement for his work in the Saint Christopher Advertiser and Weekly Intelligencer newspaper indicates his commercial practice there, producing photographic portraits for those who could afford them. He also promoted stereo views of estates and businesses, aimed at catching the eye of wealthy owners. After a spell in New York, Lyon arrived back in St Kitts in June 1875, placing persuasive advertisements in newspapers into the late 1890s that revealed his growing artistry. He now marketed pictures of events, including Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations on the island, and street views such as this. Beautifully composed, the photograph of unnamed Kittitians and possibly Nevesians was likely conceived to appeal to a European audience. Lyon publicised the sending of photographs with Christmas cards to family and friends in England and Continental Europe. Paget Wade (1849–1911) probably purchased the print while overseeing his sugar plantations on St Kitts and Nevis. It may then have passed into the ownership of his son Charles Paget Wade (1883–1956) when he inherited a share in the estates in 1911. Alternatively, it may have been collected later by Charles and added to his collection at Snowshill Manor as a historic souvenir of a place he would later spend a great deal of time himself.
Summary
Monochrome albumen print landscape photograph on green card mount showing a large gathering of local men, women and children going to and coming from the market in Basseterre, St. Kitts. Photographed by Carl Constantine Lyon.
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
Makers and roles
C. C. Lyon, photographer