Unidentified Artiste Inspires Photographers and Painters for Over 100 Years

Like too many of our favorite images, this card has come and gone in a matter of a few hours, but she and her fabulous costume can have a place on our blog forever. We don't know the model's name, but we love this image!

SOLD Unidentified Artiste in Costume Orientale, c. 1910

The same model appears on another postcard below, image by Jean Agelou.

Grace La Rock, who, with Helmut Schmidt, operates Boudoir Cards, a beautiful site and a valuable source of information on postcards of La Belle Époque, as well as French and ethnic erotic postcards, has done a watercolor painting inspired by Agélou's image of our unidentified model. Helmut and Grace are customers of ours and, on hearing about this painting, we asked if we might share it on our blog. So many of our customers are involved in art of one sort or another and draw inspiration from these fine old images, and we are so very pleased when we can share examples of this with our readers. Below, is the original postcard image and the painting Grace created from it. Just wonderful.

Photograph by Jean Agélou of Unidentified Artiste Lounging in Lingerie and Wonderful Hat

Original Painting by Grace La Rock

Here is what Grace had to say about this painting:

Capturing me with her hypnotic eyes, and voluptuous curves, I find this vintage doll rather intriguing. She was my first water color rendering after almost 20 years. I prefer pale vintage rose for color, but chose to make her into more of a cupcake like she is. I plan to paint other poses of her in the future with more muted tones. This photograph was originally made by Jean Agélou, and shows that nudity is not necessary to become erotic. If only I had her hat and vintage lingerie.

Featured Items: 1920s Lingerie Models Reclining

Our current featured items are four lingerie models from the 1920s, reclining leisurely on the furniture.

This cute model has a sweet smile for the camera as she reclines on a fun backless couch. The classic flapper pillow leaning against the couch near the model's head is a wonderful touch.

Risque PC Paris Lingerie Model with Flapper Pillow and Pointy Shoes

The casual pose as the models leans against a coffee table near an arrangement of flowers, with a single flower dangling from her hand, helps to make this card something special.

French Risque Leo 50, 1910s/20s Lingerie Card

This young lady doesn't really look like she's posing. No, we think she was taking a break and reading a magazine when the photographer called her name and took the shot.

Very Cute Risque French Lingerie Model PC Paris circa 1920

This is such a fun shot. The model's pose on the couch and her coquettish smile, with the pillows strewn everywhere, make it looks as  if she's simply alighted here for a moment before she'll be hopping back up to throw on her flapper dress and a beaded headdress, ready to head out for a night of frolicsome fun, dancing the Charleston.

Risque Rppc Extra Cute French Lingerie Model 1920s

Susan in Her Boudoir

"Hi, Janey! You know Susan and Tony from down at the diner, right? Cute couple, thick as thieves, never see one without the other."

"Yeah, that's them. And the way she brags about him! Says he's a regular tiger, if you know what I mean."

"A coupla weeks back it goes around he's been spendin' a lot of time at the drugstore, when her royal highness Cynthia's on duty at the make-up counter...yeah...cattin' around. Funny thing...no one's seen Tony for a week or more...just disappeared...yeah...weird, huh?"

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Risque Semi-Nude German Boudoir Scene with Tiger Skin circa 1905

This Week's Featured Items: Four Lounging Ladies

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Lise Walton Belle Epoque Actress as Gypsy circa 1905

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Very Cute Risque French Lingerie Model PC Paris circa 1920

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE 1920s Bathing Belle French Postcard

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Miss Ray Fern Variety Artist circa 1910 by Louis Martin