This enchanting cabinet card portrait captures a tender domestic scene from the late 19th century. The image features four children—three girls and a boy—posed formally in a studio setting. Their expressions are a blend of poise and innocence, with a touch of curiosity and seriousness common in portraits of the period. Each child is neatly dressed, their attire reflecting the middle-to-upper-class fashion of the Victorian era. The two older girls, seated on a stone bench, gently cradle small kittens in their laps, adding a heartwarming, spontaneous touch to the otherwise composed image. Their delicate white dresses are adorned with ruffles and lace, and they wear matching striped stockings and black shoes. Their hair is neatly styled, with ribbons typing it back, creating a soft angelic appearance. Beside them stands their older brother, dressed in an immaculate dark nautical outfit, complete with a wide sailor collar, decorative buttons, and a silk tie. His right hand holds a large straw hat, and his confident posture suggests a protective older sibling role. The youngest child, a toddler, stands in front on a miniature chair, wearing a ruffled white dress with puffed sleeves and a curious expression. Her chubby cheeks and tousled bob haircut lend her a particularly charming presence. The photographer of this beautiful image is Martinot Frères, whose studio was located in Grenoble, France..The elaborate typography and decoration on the back of the card advertise the studio’s prestige, including a mention of awards received at the Exposition de Bordeaux in 1882. The inclusion of this medal suggests a respected reputation and hints at the high quality of the photography. (SOLD)
This cabinet card photograph features a dapper older man with an exquisite mustache. The gentleman’s impressive mustache may be one of the widest mustaches that I have ever seen. He has a sparkle in his eyes but it is impossible to ascertain if he is smiling because his lip sweater is blocking our view. The photographer of this cabinet card portrait is A. Michel. He operated a studio in Grenoble, France. Grenoble is in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region of southeastern France. It is known as a center for winter sports. Advertising on the reverse of the cabinet card indicates that Maichel won a medal at an exhibit in Marseille in 1897. The gentleman in the photograph is identified on the verso as Gabriel Lucas. This portrait was likely taken circa 1900. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 