This is a beautiful original cabinet card photograph of a family taken at the Fein & Schnabel Studio, locaated in Chicago, Illinois. The studio imprint is elegantly embossed on the card’s lower margin, framed by decorative flourishes. Fein & Schnabel opened their studio at this address in 1897, and they were known for producing finely composed, high-quality portraits of Chicago’s working and middle-class families during the late 19th and early 20th century. The image captures a formal family portrait featuring a mother, father, and their two young daughters. The father stands proudly at the rear, wearing a dark three-piece suit with vest, bow tie, and watch chain. His mustache and upright stance convey a strong, confident presence. Seated at the center, the mother wears a tailored dark skirt and lighter blouse with ruffled trim, her hair neatly pinned up and spectacles perched at the bridge of her nose. On her lap is the younger daughter, posed on a stool, dressed in a flowing white dress with lace trim and high-button boots. Standing at her side is the older daughter, also in a white dress with ribbons in her hair. She holds an exquisite bisque-head doll in a white dress, complete with detailed shoes and curls. The backdrop is a classic studio setting, with architectural elements and hanging plants painted to create the impression of a genteel interior space. The overall composition conveys formality but also a sense of family closeness, particularly through the subtle hand placements and the doll prop, which would have been a prized possession of the era. The cabinet card is in excellent condition. A standout feature is its beveled gold edges, which remain remarkably well-preserved and add a refined presentation to the mount. The photograph itself is crisp and clear, with excellent contrast and detail—especially in the children’s dresses and facial expressions. The reverse of the card is blank aside from very light penciled notes. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 