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Henry Ulke Collection

Henry Ulke (1821-1910) was a talented portrait photographer who captured the essence of his subjects with remarkable skill and artistry

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Portrait of Henry Ulke (1821-1910), Circa 1860s / 1870s. Creator: Unknown

Portrait of Henry Ulke (1821-1910), Circa 1860s / 1870s. Creator: Unknown
Portrait of Henry Ulke (1821-1910), Circa 1860s/1870s

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Group Portrait of Megatherium Club, Circa 1862-1863. Creator: Unknown

Group Portrait of Megatherium Club, Circa 1862-1863. Creator: Unknown
Group Portrait of Megatherium Club, Circa 1862-1863. These four young naturalists lived in the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Portrait of John Maclean (1800-1886), Circa 1882. Creator: Henry Ulke

Portrait of John Maclean (1800-1886), Circa 1882. Creator: Henry Ulke
Portrait of John Maclean (1800-1886), Circa 1882. Photograph of crayon portrait by Henry Ulke after a photograph by Trenton Photograph & Art Gallery

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Portrait of Joseph Henry (1797-1878), 1879. Creator: Henry Ulke

Portrait of Joseph Henry (1797-1878), 1879. Creator: Henry Ulke
Portrait of Joseph Henry (1797-1878), 1879. Photograph of crayon portrait by by Henry Ulke

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Portrait of Herman Henry Diebitsch (1818-1883), 1871. Creator: Henry Ulke

Portrait of Herman Henry Diebitsch (1818-1883), 1871. Creator: Henry Ulke
Portrait of Herman Henry Diebitsch (1818-1883), 1871

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Portrait of Joseph Henry (1797-1878), 1868. Creator: Henry Ulke

Portrait of Joseph Henry (1797-1878), 1868. Creator: Henry Ulke
Portrait of Joseph Henry (1797-1878), 1868

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Portrait of Jose Castulo Zeledon (1846-1923), 1868. Creator: Henry Ulke

Portrait of Jose Castulo Zeledon (1846-1923), 1868. Creator: Henry Ulke
Portrait of Jose Castulo Zeledon (1846-1923), 1868

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Portrait of Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), 1865. Creator: Henry Ulke

Portrait of Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), 1865. Creator: Henry Ulke
Portrait of Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), 1865

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Carte-de-visite portrait of Walter W. Johnson, 1868. Creator: Henry Ulke

Carte-de-visite portrait of Walter W. Johnson, 1868. Creator: Henry Ulke
Carte-de-visite of Walter W. Johnson shown in half portrait. Johnson was and American civil engineer, explorer, surveyor, and teacher of freedmen

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Carte-de-visite portrait of Carrie N. Lacy, 1865. Creator: Henry Ulke

Carte-de-visite portrait of Carrie N. Lacy, 1865. Creator: Henry Ulke
Carte-de-visite of Caroline " Carrie" N. Lacy shown in full portrait. Lacy stands with her body facing one quarter to her right but her face is turned straight to the camera

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Edwin McMasters Stanton, 1872. Creator: Henry Ulke

Edwin McMasters Stanton, 1872. Creator: Henry Ulke
Edwin McMasters Stanton, 1872

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Spotted Tail, 1877. Creator: Henry Ulke

Spotted Tail, 1877. Creator: Henry Ulke
Spotted Tail, 1877

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Joseph Henry, 1885. Creator: Henry Ulke

Joseph Henry, 1885. Creator: Henry Ulke
Joseph Henry, 1885

Background imageHenry Ulke Collection: Major John Wesley Powell, 1885. Creator: Henry Ulke

Major John Wesley Powell, 1885. Creator: Henry Ulke
Major John Wesley Powell, 1885



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Henry Ulke (1821-1910) was a talented portrait photographer who captured the essence of his subjects with remarkable skill and artistry. His work, spanning from the 1860s to the late 1800s, showcases a diverse range of individuals from various walks of life. One notable piece is his portrait of himself, taken in the 1860s or 1870s. Although the creator remains unknown, this self-portrait reveals Ulke's introspective nature and dedication to his craft. Ulke was also known for capturing group portraits, such as the Megatherium Club in circa 1862-1863. The identity of its members may be shrouded in mystery, but their camaraderie and shared interests are evident through Ulke's lens. Among his many subjects were prominent figures like John Maclean (1800-1886), whose portrait from circa 1882 radiates wisdom and experience. Another noteworthy individual immortalized by Ulke is Joseph Henry (1797-1878), depicted both in 1879 and earlier in 1868. These portraits capture Henry's intellectual prowess and contributions to science. Ulke's talent extended beyond famous personalities; he also photographed lesser-known individuals like Jose Castulo Zeledon (1846-1923) and Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930). Through these portraits created in 1868 and 1865 respectively, we catch glimpses into their lives - Zeledon exuding confidence while Elliott emanates determination. In addition to people, Ulke also ventured into carte-de-visite photography - a popular format during that era. He captured Walter W. Johnson in an intriguing pose that hints at Johnson's potential greatness on the baseball field. Carrie N. Lacy appears serene yet captivatingly mysterious in her carte-de-visite portrait from 1865. Mrs. Bowen radiates elegance through her image taken by Ulke in 1866.