During the 1920s, there was some artistic theme of posing young children, mostly girls, with no blouse on them. this particular child appears to have some sort of cloth wrapped around her chest, but I have seen others in which the child is not draped in any way. They all seem to have a necklace to hold or some other type of artistic element. I can only guess there was an art nouveau influence or trend that drove this.
To see other images like this one, click on “undressed” in the categories to the right.
I might have one more that hasn’t been scanned yet. I suppose I ought to create a new category for this. In my research, I discovered this is called trompe l’oeil. The linguistic definition means “trick the eyes.” The artistic definition is of realistic imagery which creates an optical illusion of something being in three dimensions. It is a well known technique used as long ago as Greek and Roman murals, but was quite popular in the Baroque and Renaissance periods. There are many superior paintings that look as though the objects could be picked up and used, or simply items left laying on the table. Based on many examples I have seen at other sites, it is apparent the Victorian photographic goal was to make the subject appear to be in the scroll, clouds, flowers, etc. This technique is mostly seen in the 1890s.
The photographer for this unidentified subject was Geyser, at No. 9 Main Street, Bradford, PA.
When I saw this photo, I had to have it. My friend and I (both moms) giggled at the baby’s expression. It’s just so funny! It’s as though someone behind the photographer just played peek a boo with her and she is startled to see them. Her hair, although a bit blurry, reminds me of the cute “hair bow” I posted a few years ago in this photo. It looks as though the hair was curled into the shape of a bow on top of her head.
The unnamed baby was photographed by H. J. Corell of Mt. Jewett, PA. While I didn’t find any information on the photographer, I did find information on the embossing the photographer information on the cabinet card. It appears that embossing on the front of the card such as this was popular between 1894-1900.
Sometimes I think if it wasn’t for Sepia Saturday I would never acquire more old photos. Then I realize that’s just plain crazy talk, but that’s beside the point. One thing I like about Sepia Saturday is it makes me consider what the prompt images mean, or how they inspire me. This week’s prompt image shows a couple gypsy caravan type wagons, advertising birds, beasts and reptiles! After a good long search through the bin at my antique shop source, I have beasts and birds, even a fish image, but no reptiles. Enjoy.
Big Horn Sheep, Banff, Canada
This is a nice real photo postcard, probably part of a set showing wildlife of Canada. Note the number 42 in the lower right corner.
Climb aboard, kiddies
Here’s a snapshot on really flimsy paper showing three small children on a horse being held by a woman. They are quite obviously in a barnyard or stable yard. The roof of a building is hidden in the trees behind the children.
Checking on the herd
Bountiful Bossy
Here are two images of a woman and cattle. In the upper image there is a small child just behind her left shoulder out in the field with her. You can see a barbed wire fence and then a stone fence in the distance. The lower image shows a woman holding her bucket of milk from her cow. The photo was taken in a dooryard, it seems. You can see the house in the background.
Stereoscopic image, Ruins of Cana in Gallilee
Stereoscopic image, California Partirdges
Stereoscopic image, #497 A fine string of black bass
Stereoscopic image, #777 Group of Quails, Kilburn Brothers, Littleton, New Hampshire
And, last but not least….
Some people call these travel trailers a caravan. :-)
For more interesting images from around the world, click over to Sepia Saturday. You will be happy you did.
Alan really has me thinking about faces these days and what the person was thinking at the moment the photo was being taken. Have you ever taken a face out of context and then tried to imagine what was going on? The prompt image this week is a tight shot of a face alone, and so that made me decide to ask this question. “What was going on?” just based on the face. Click on the face to see the full image.
Just call me…. *
My parents are just… **
Watch out, I’m holding a… ***
For more faces that may tell an interesting story, click over to Sepia Saturday. You will be happy you did!
Facing the sepians
* Unidentified people, photographer Wasson, 351 N. Water, Decatur, IL
** Johnie & Lola Ryan, Beulah & Harald, no photographer information
*** Lillian J. Lebo, 1919, The Rembrandt Stuidos, Decatur, IL
Who Were They? 