Who painted Cyrus B. Hills, Postmaster, Arlington, Vermont?

Cyrus B. Hills, Postmaster, Arlington, Vermont was painted by Unknown in 1852.

Where can I see Cyrus B. Hills, Postmaster, Arlington, Vermont?

Cyrus B. Hills, Postmaster, Arlington, Vermont is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Cyrus B. Hills, Postmaster, Arlington, Vermont?

Cyrus B. Hills, Postmaster, Arlington, Vermont is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Cyrus B. Hills, Postmaster, Arlington, Vermont

Unknown , 1852

Cyrus B. Hills, Postmaster, Arlington, Vermont is a photography by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The image is a black‑and‑white photograph titled “Cyrus B.

Accession no.: 2021.45
Credit line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

About this work

Overview

The image is a black‑and‑white photograph titled “Cyrus B. Hills, Postmaster, Arlington, Vermont.” It captures a solitary figure standing before a modest wooden post office, the structure marked by a simple sign and a few small windows. The composition is dominated by deep shadows and a muted tonal range, giving the scene a somber, historic atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is Cyrus B. Hills, identified as the postmaster of Arlington, Vermont. Dressed in a dark coat, hat, and carrying a bag, he embodies the role of a rural postal worker in the early twentieth century, a position that linked isolated communities to broader networks of communication.

Technique & Style

The photograph employs chiaroscuro lighting, with strong contrasts between illuminated areas and deep shadows that emphasize the texture of the wooden façade and the figure’s attire. The image shows signs of age: faded tones, worn borders, and a grainy surface that suggest an early photographic process, likely gelatin silver print.

History & Provenance

The picture originates from an archival collection documenting small‑town America. Its physical condition, soft edges and a muted palette, indicates prolonged handling and storage. The work has been retained within the museum’s regional history holdings, where it serves as a visual record of Arlington’s civic architecture and its postal service heritage.