Frances Stebbins Allen Collection

Child having bread & milk
2624094 Child having bread & milk; (add.info.: Child having bread & milk, 1890. By Frances Stebbins Allen, 1854-1941, photographer.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Old Deerfield, c1900. Creator: Frances S. Allen
Old Deerfield, c1900. Photographs show historic homes and areas in Old Deerfield, Massachusetts. Includes annotations by the Allen sisters on each photograph

At the spinet, c1900. Creator: Frances S. Allen
At the spinet, c1900. Photograph for book illustration shows woman, in period costume, playing a spinet piano

Old burying ground, 1892. Creator: Frances S. Allen
Old burying ground, 1892. Photograph shows a young boy sitting by an old tombstone in a cemetery

Specimen illustrations for a monograph on clay stones by J.M. Arms Sheldon, c1900. Creator: Frances S. Allen
Specimen illustrations for a monograph on clay stones by J.M. Arms Sheldon, c1900. (Among the books published by American entomologist, educator)

Portrait of the artists mother, between 1890 and 1895. Creator: Frances S. Allen
Portrait of the artists mother, between 1890 and 1895. Photograph shows a woman sitting and knitting by a window. (Mary Allen, nee Stebbins)

A New England sibyl, between 1880 and 1890. Creator: Frances S. Allen
A New England sibyl, between 1880 and 1890. Photograph shows Judith Allen (1811-1890), aunt of the Allen sisters, seated in a chair, reading a large book

In May, c1900. Creator: Frances S. Allen
In May, c1900. Landscape photograph showing field with a stream, trees, and bushes

Bread & milk, 1894. Creator: Frances S. Allen. Bread & milk, 1894. Creator: Frances S. Allen
Bread & milk, 1894. Photograph shows a little boy, seated at a table, feeding himself with a spoon

The difficult step, c1900. Creator: Frances S. Allen
The difficult step, c1900. Photograph shows a woman, holding an infant while helping her young child walk. Subjects have been identified as Mrs. Albert Busha and children

Willows, c1900. Creator: Frances S. Allen
Willows, c1900. Photograph shows willow trees by a stream

A Holbein woman, c1890. Creator: Frances S. Allen
A Holbein woman, c1890. Photograph is a head-and-shoulders portrait of a woman dressed and posed in the style of a painting by Hans Holbein

A "crack" with the blacksmith, c1900. Creator: Frances S. Allen
A "crack" with the blacksmith, c1900. Photograph shows two children talking(?) to a blacksmith standing in the doorway of his forge

A "crack" with the blacksmith, c1900. Creator: Frances S. Allen
A "crack" with the blacksmith, c1900. Photograph shows two children talking(?) to a blacksmith standing in the doorway of his forge

Calls in Cranford, c1900. Creator: Frances S. Allen
Calls in Cranford, c1900. Photograph for book illustration shows a woman dressed in mid-19th century period costume descending stone stairs

How d'y do?, c1900. Creator: Frances S. Allen
How d'y do?, c1900. Photograph for book illustration shows two women, in mid-19th century period costumes, standing in a doorway greeting each other

Portrait of a woman with braids in front of a paisley backdrop, c1900. Creator: Frances S. Allen
Portrait of a woman with braids in front of a paisley backdrop, c1900

Our Margaret, 1897. Creator: Frances S. Allen
Our Margaret, 1897. Photograph shows head-and-shoulders portrait of an African American woman

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Frances Stebbins Allen was a trailblazing woman ahead of her time. Born in 1839, she defied societal norms and pursued a career as a photographer during an era when photography was largely dominated by men. Her passion for capturing the world around her through the lens of her camera led to groundbreaking work that challenged traditional notions of beauty and art. Allen's photographs were celebrated for their unique perspective and attention to detail, earning her recognition as one of the leading photographers of her generation. She traveled extensively throughout Europe and America, documenting landscapes, portraits, and everyday life with a keen eye for composition and lighting. Despite facing discrimination and obstacles as a female artist in a male-dominated field, Allen persevered with determination and resilience. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of women artists who follow in her footsteps, breaking barriers and pushing boundaries in pursuit of their creative passions. Frances Stebbins Allen's pioneering spirit lives on through her timeless photographs, which serve as a testament to the power of art to transcend gender roles and societal expectations. Her fearless commitment to pursuing her dreams serves as a reminder that anything is possible with dedication, talent, and unwavering belief in oneself.