This evocative cabinet card photograph captures an intimate and timeless portrait of a young woman and her loyal dog, taken by the studio of Carl Bellach (1848-1920) in Leipzig, Germany. The woman sits gracefully beside her canine companion, her body turned slightly but her gaze directed straight into the camera. Her expression is serene and soft, with a gentle smile that suggests both composure and affection. She wears a dark Edwardian dress with a high collar and a prominent bow at the neck, detailed with fabric-covered buttons along the front and sleeve cuffs. Her hair is styled in soft waves and pulled back, adorned with a ribbon or dark headband, reflecting the elegant fashion of the early 20th century. Next to her sits a beautiful dog, likely a rough-coated Collie or a Border Collie mix, whose thick fur and calm, attentive expression add a warm, personal touch to the image. The dog sits proudly on a patterned upholstered bench, perfectly posed as if aware of the photographic moment. The room in which they are posed is softly lit and richly decorated, with a curio cabinet or sideboard in the background, suggesting a comfortable middle-class home. A framed portrait of a man hangs on the wall—perhaps a family member, adding a sentimental layer to the setting. The overall tone of the photograph is tender and domestic, a quiet glimpse into the bond between human and animal, beautifully preserved. The sepia tones and excellent clarity make this image a fine example of studio portraiture from pre-WWI Germany. The photographer, Carl Bellach, was a known Leipzig studio operator, and his imprint appears in gold at the bottom right corner of the mount. Bellach was also known for being an entomologist (scientific study of insects). (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 