This charming vintage photograph/postcard captures a young girl engaged in a painting activity, likely from the 1920s or 1930s. The handwritten caption on the reverse reads “Petite Artiste Peintre”, which translates from French to “Little Artist Painter.” The girl, who appears to be around five or six years old, has a sweet and confident expression as she looks directly at the camera. Her dark, wavy hair is adorned with a large bow, giving her a classic, period-appropriate appearance. She wears a checkered smock dress with ruffled shoulders, which was likely intended to protect her clothing while she paints. Sitting at a wooden school desk, she holds a paintbrush in her small hand, mid-stroke, as she creates her artwork. The paper in front of her shows a simple yet enthusiastic painting, possibly of a person and a fish. Around her, several small paint pots are scattered on the desk, with some open, revealing the rich tones she is using. The background features a set of shelves lined with neatly arranged objects, possibly classroom materials or art supplies, reinforcing the setting as a school or children’s art class. The overall composition of the image captures both the innocence and creativity of childhood. (SOLD)
ARTIST PAINTS BEAUTIFUL MODEL : RISQUE : JEAN AGELOU : PARIS : EXTRAORDINARY RPPC

This French vintage risque real photo postcard features a pretty young woman modeling for an artist. This photograph is meant to titillate. The young woman is scantily dressed and showing much of her bare legs. One side of the hem of her undergarment is lifted. The model is displaying an alluring expression. The artist appears to be intensely concentration on his painting. He is holding a brush and palette. Some of the artist’s work is strewn on the floor. This risque photographic portrait was published by celebrated photographer, Jean Agelou (1878-1921), as part of a series (No.089). Agelou was a French photographer of the 1910’s and 1920’s who is best known for his erotic and nude photographs. He was born in Egypt and not much is known about his private life. Agelou generally used models between the age of 20 and 24 years-old. Although the 1900’s was the “golden age” of erotic photograph, photographers who took such risque photos had to use discretion. As a result, Agelou signed his work “JA”. In 1908, nudity in photographs was banned in France and photographers had to cover nude women images with strategically placed undergarments or other materials. Nude images had to circulate on the down low. They were sent in the mail inside of envelopes. Jean Agelou died in 1921; the result of a car accident. His brother George, who managed Jean’s business, also was killed in the crash. SOLD

AN ARTIST AND HER ART IN CASTILE, NEW YORK
This Cabinet Card is a bit unusual in that it is an image of a woman posing next to framed art. The pose raises some interesting questions. Is the woman an artist proudly displaying her artistic creation? Is the art in this photograph just a prop that the photographer likes to use in his studio work? The questions are unanswerable today but perhaps other images from this photographer will be found that also include art as part of his portraits. Such a finding would indicate that the art is simply a studio prop. The photographer is George L. Washburn of Castile, New York.


