THIS CABINET PHOTO CAN BE GIVEN A RANGE OF DATING DUE TO THE EALRY DEATH OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S EALRY DEATH AT THE AGE OF 47. LIFESPAN 1835-1882. THEREFORE I HAVE GIVEN A DATING OF ABOUT 1875 GIVE OR TAKE A FEW YEARS. AT THE TIME THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN THIS PHOTOGRAPHER WAS LIVING IN COETHEN GERMANY IN THE SOUTH EAST PART OF THE GERMANY.
THE SUBJECT IS OVER THE TOP EVEN FOR A DRAG PHOTO GIVEN THE CARE TO USE LAVISH WIGS AND BONNETS, MATCHING SHOES AND COSTUMES WITH STRONGLY COLORED TIGHTS.
WHEN I LIST A PHOTO SUJECT AS X. DRESSING THERE IS ALWAYS A NEED TO SHARE MY REASONS FOR SEEING IT AS TWO MEN IN WOMENS' ATTIRE. OBVIOUS RESORT TO WOMENS WIGS. HANDS THAT ARE MUCH MORE IN KEEPING WITH THE LARGER SIZE OF MEN;S HANDS. THE APPEARANCE OF VEZND JAW LINES. . IN ADDITION THERE IS ANB ANGULARITY OF BOTH POSEURS FACES. NOT TO FORGET TO MENTION THAT BOTH OF OUR "FEMALE" BEAUTIES HAVE RATHER HEAVY EYEBROWS.
I AM ALSO AMUSED AT WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE NEED TO HIDE WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE THE GUIYS' NECKS WITH HIGH COLLARS THAT MASK WHAT I EXPECT WOULD BE PROMINENT MALE ADAM'S APPLES!
IT IS ALSO SIGNIFICANT THAT COETHEN AND NEIGHBORING TOWNS AND DISTRICTS HAD VIBRANT CULTURAL TRADITIONS SUCH THAT BACH WAS ITS CONCERT MASTER FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SCHOOL PLAYS THAT REQUIRED THE SERVICES OF MALE STUDENTS TO ASSUME FEMALE PARTS.
IN ANY CASE HOW THIS INTRIGUING CABINET PHOTO MADE IT TO A RURAL AREA IN THIS COUNTRY IS FOOD FOR THOUGHT!