In the early 1900's Florida's lush tropical beauty was embellished by the vibrant sunsets reflected in the pristine waters.  Many think that this unspoiled magnificence no longer exists, lost forever amid Florida's booming development.  However, detailed windows of this era remain in the unique photographic art of E. G. Barnhill.   

By 1914 tourists were clamoring to visit Florida's splendor and many wanted a souvenir of the pure panoramas as a keepsake of their adventures.  Though there are several known Florida traveling photographers, it was E. G. Barnhill who recorded the raw splendor and lavishly hand painted his photos using the often flamboyant colorations found in the Florida sky.  Between about 1911 through about 1930, Esmond G. Barnhill, grasped the soul of Florida.  

Born in 1894 in Saluda, South Carolina, Barnhill moved to Florida in about 1914 as an adventurer, where he hunted treasure, and developed a keen interest in photography.  As a traveling photographer, Barnhill explored the state and even ventured to the Caribbean.  Today approximately 50 of his hand colored photographic scenes survive.  These photos allow us a rare window into the untouched wilderness of early Florida.  

Prior to the development and availability of color film in about 1936, photography existed mostly as monochrome, or one color.  In order to make their photographs "come alive" artist began adding hand coloring or hand tinting their black and white photos.  Coloring mediums included oils, dyes, and water colors.  Barnhill used water colors which were more stable than dyes and not as opaque as oils.  He also used a technique known as gold toning to create an enchanting glow to his master pieces.  

Barnhill's hand colored photos have a distinct style.  His colors are vibrant, bold and deep.  Many reflect such heavy water color accents that they could easily pass for the work of a listed artist's water color landscape.   His works hold passion and drama.  He favored views featuring lush green tropics or flamboyant sunsets.  His landscapes range in size from 2" x 3" to 11" x 14".  His work was infrequently close framed and more often sold unframed.  Barnhill also specialized in greeting cards and postcards, the earliest of which were printed in Germany marked Saxony.  Some of his colorations are almost neon, and border on fantasy.  Most of his work is signed "EGB" Or "E. G. Barnhill".   Today his post cards range in price from $3.00 to $50.00.  His landscape works sell at about $25.00 for the small pieces and upwards of $500.00 for large more rare photos.   

Prior to his move to Florida, Barnhill opened a trading post in Colorado specializing in Indian treasurers.  During his stay he met and studied with the renowned Indian and Wild West photographer Edward S. Curtis.  From Curtis he learned to create a gold tone process to accent some of his photos.   Goldtoning is a delicate method requiring hand painting on glass using uranium dye.  Gold tones have often been defaced or destroyed by the Florida humidity.  Due to the fragile nature of this process very few still exist.  Those that remain often sell for $700. to $1200. 

Hand colored or tinted photos by Barnhill also survive in the works of another traveling Florida artist and photographer, J. R. Wilcox.  Wilcox who painted and photographed from about 1880 to his death in 1910 was known for his art featuring Florida Waterways and abundant tropics.  In 1915 Barnhill purchased the remaining art and prints from the Wilcox estate.  The photographs of each artist are similar in content however; their perception of color was very different.  Barnhill chose colors of passion and dramatic hues.  Wilcox favored the softer almost muted impressionistic style.  Barnhill actually colored many of the remaining prints belonging to Wilcox.  At times Barnhill would sign the photos "Wilcox" and "1890".  His handwriting is perpendicular.  An authentic signature J. R. Wilcox leans noticeably to the left.

The water colors of Wilcox can sell for over $1,000.  His colored prints range in value from $25.00 to $590.00. 

Barnhill's work is slowly being discovered as an art market.

Yet, it still remains modestly priced making it desirable as a collectible.  Through his eyes we have a glimpse into the magnificent Florida of 100 years ago. 

He refined the art of capturing on film breathtaking and extraordinary Florida scenes.  Using water color he lavishly adorned each photograph with a generous palette of the brilliant coloration found only in Florida's tropics.  Each work of art remains alive and moving as if there will be a continuation of the setting sun or dapples in the movement of the windblown trees and gentle swaying of moss.   Looking at the fairy-tale magic Barnhill depicts, it is easy to speculate that the mystical allure created in road side souvenir paintings by the Florida Highwaymen was actually inspired by the work of Esmond Barnhill.