This "Gem" from photographer Hannah Maynard’s “Gems of British Columbia" series appears to have been created for 1883. The work includes child and baby portraits taken in previous years and features the portrait of a child from the pioneering Spotts family. Located beside the left flag in the centre of the work, it is likely “Cecillia Spotts”.
Several of the Spotts family children were photographed by Victoria-based Hannah Maynard of Mrs. R. Maynard's Photographic Gallery, including “Cecillia Spotts” and “Percy Spotts.” The Alexander and likely Barnswell families, also appear to have been clients of the Maynard Studio and represent other pioneering Black families of Vancouver Island and British Columbia.
Series consists of 41 photographs produced by Hannah Maynard of Mrs. R. Maynard’s Photographic Gallery between 1880 and 1899. Images were examples of Maynard's advanced technical photographic skill in producing experimental works such as photocollages, composites, cut-and-paste montages, photosculptures (referred to by Maynard as “living statuaries” or “statuary from life”) and double- or multiple-exposure portraits. Photographs were produced as commercial products and to promote Maynard's photographic portfolio. Some of the composite photographs feature landscape views attributed to Richard Maynard.
