This delightful carte de visite (CDV) captures a young French girl—identified on the reverse as Marcelle, age five —standing atop a wooden chair and holding a cherished doll. The image was produced by photographer L. Sénac, whose studio was located in Moulins, a commune in central France. The child is dressed with obvious care and attention. She wears a pleated skirt with horizontal bands of trimming and a blouse featuring puffed sleeves gathered at the wrist. A large, wide lace collar cascades over her shoulders, adding a touch of elegance typical of the late 19th or very early 20th century. Her long hair is parted and tied into twin pigtails with matching ribbons—each tied into neat bows that frame her face. Her expression is calm, solemn, and slightly curious—a common look in early childhood photography when long exposure times discouraged smiling. In her arms, Marcelle cradles a striking doll. The doll appears to be a bisque-head type with painted features and inset eyes, dressed in a white dress with striped stockings and black shoes. Its curly wig and dark bonnet suggest it was a fashionable toy of the time—possibly German-made, as many high-quality dolls of that period were. The girl’s firm grip on the doll and the central positioning of the toy in the composition suggest that it was a beloved possession, likely included to soothe the child or highlight her status and affection. A noteworthy detail in this CDV is that the girl is standing on a chair—a common practice in studio portraiture to elevate small children to better capture them within the camera’s frame. Her feet, clad in boots and striped stockings, are clearly visible, adding to the charm and authenticity of the image. Turning to the reverse of the CDV, we see elaborate lithographed artwork typical of the era. The back bears the branding “Photographie Artistique,” with additional French text advertising reproductions, enlargements, and group photography. At the very top is the handwritten note identifying Marcelle. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 