Dramatically Tinted Images from La Belle Époque

These gorgeous and weirdly ethereal images were accomplished using a type of coloration that was briefly popular during the early part of the twentieth century and which sometimes achieved amazing results. We know their vivid shades resulted from early experimentation with color tinting, but we simply can't find any credible information about the process used to create these fantastically tinted images. Over and over again, while researching hand-tinting of vintage photographs, we stumble across the sentiment that color was added to black and white photographs due to a desire to create images that more accurately mimicked life, but these images show that there were often other, more artistic, aesthetics at work.

The first of these images uses shades of blue fading into yellow. This enhances the impression that the woman in the picture is standing just on the border between shadow and illumination. While there are many possible interpretations of the symbolism in standing on the verge of both darkness and light, our favorite is that of standing with one foot in the mundane world and the other in Faerie, and such perception would be very in keeping with the sentiments of the era.

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Dramatically Tinted Belle Epoque Image of Young Woman, circa 1905

The following two images seem to be from a single photo shoot and were produced by the same studio as the first, although with a different model. Here, the coloration helps to lend an air of mystery and romance to the young woman, while her filmy gown and scarf, the draped couch upon which she reclines, and the decor, complete with potted palm, all contribute the sense that one has been given a rare glimpse into the Sultan's palace. The rich colors in the two images create very different moods: the seated figure could almost be a mermaid under the sea, while the deep fuchsia lends a sultry sensuality to the image of the reclining woman.

SOLD Dramatically Tinted Belle Epoque Boudoir Image, circa 1905

SOLD Dramatically Tinted Belle Epoque Harem Image, circa 1905

The last of our featured items is a postcard in which Mademoiselle Lo appears in a body stocking and veil. Body stockings were used for a short time at the turn of the century in an attempt to avoid prosecution for violation of decency laws discouraging onstage and photographic nudity, but the intended effect was that the actress appeared to be nude, or very nearly so. In this image, the cloudy sky on the left side of the image, along with Mlle. Lo's arm, face, and a bit of her torso, have been shaded with a deep rose, hinting perhaps of some impending storm or doom. Below the horizon, the shade used is a deep blue, suggestive of water, so that we may imagine that Mlle. Lo has just stepped from the sea onto land. Perchance she portrays some magical being of the sea, come to air herself for a short time before returning to her watery home. Or, maybe she is depicting a character in a play whose reasons for standing on this lonely beach are more tragic, or more playful. We may never know the full story behind this image, but we find its beauty and mystery haunting.

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Mademoiselle Lo, French Artiste Nude en Voile, Fantaisie, circa 1905

Shellhunter365's World of Whimsy and Wonder

Here at Red Poulaine, we always delighted to learn of the artistic ways in which so many of our wonderful customers make use of the cards and photographs we sell. Some of them use the images they buy from us as inspiration (muses, if you will), for writing projects, others in connection with their music, and of course the graphic arts possibilities are endless. One of our customers, shellhunter365 on Etsy, is one of these graphic artists. Her works can be found at La Sirena Antiques and Skatter, both in Santa Cruz, California. As you will see, shellhunter365 has a wonderful eye for magic and whimsy. She uses vintage images, many of which she has purchased from Red Poulaine, as the basis for some of her pieces, and has been kind enough to share with us some of her art, as well as her process:

I use . . . alcohol tints, often mixing them, make a copy of the original and tint that (I like to leave the originals alone; they survived this long without adulteration...), then I apply everything from vintage ribbon, flowers, glitter, even shells around the image which is mounted on mat board, and hang them from more vintage ribbon.

In the side-by-side that follows, we have a before and after shot, showing the first step in the process. The image on the left is a postcard shellhunter365 purchased from us, of Mlle. Santori wearing a remarkable headdress. (You can read more about this image in the original listing in our shop.) The image to the right shows shellhunter365's copy after she had applied her hand-tinting. We love the wonderful earthy tones she used to enhance this image, emphasizing the woodland spirit motif created by the headdress that is the focal point of the image.

Mlle. Santori, before and after hand-tinting by shellhunter365

Here's another side-by-side comparison of an image, showing shellhunter365's tinting, this time of a mermaid from Reutlinger's Les Ondines series:

Les Ondines, before and after hand-tinting by shellhunter365

The following three images are all based on postcards shellhunter365 purchased from our shop, but have yet to receive their decorative frames. Where possible, each is linked back to the original postcard from our shop.

Rena Varty — La Jolie Bohemienne

Elizabeth Firth as Natalie in the Original English Production of the Merry Widow, 1907

Stacia Napierkowska Russian Star of French Silent Film circa 1910s/20s

Of course, shellhunter365 doesn't stop with merely hand-coloring and mounting her artwork. After each piece is mounted, she adds a number of decorative embellishments to complete the work. Following are a few of the pieces she has shared with us:

Cute Flag-Bearer on Rocking Horse

Q is for Queen of the Dancers

Gisèle Gravier in Art Nouveau Egyptian-Inspired Headdress and Necklace

Sea Nymph Asleep in a Clam Shell Cradle

YES! You Are a Moon Goddess

Enchanting Child with Ribbons and Flowers

Red Poulaine is Offering 25% Off for Cyber Monday

Red Poulaine is currently offering a Cyber Monday discount of 25%. This is the biggest discount we've ever offered and will be available only until midnight PST, Tuesday, November 27, 2012. To receive this discount, just enter coupon code CYBER2012 during the checkout process.

A Handsome Man, Post WWI

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Hand-Tinted Handsome Fellow circa 1920s/30s

Move over girls! Handsome Jack has arrived!

We see many hand-tinted couples romance cards, but not so many hand-tinted men all on their own, so we're always pleased when one comes our way.

It's probably worth mentioning that, although men appearing in the earliest picture postcards were often bearded or wearing elaborate mustaches, those in picture postcards of the late teens, and into the thirties, were generally clean shaven, very neat and tidy. The features of most of the male models of this period were less apt to be those of a "Marlboro Man," and more along the lines of the Japanese "bishonen," or "pretty male," to the degree that we have sometimes wondered if a well-dressed man in some of these 20's period cards might not be, in fact, a pretty woman in male attire. Yet, although that must have happened on occasion, the pretty boy look reflected a change in taste and style, one that emphasized a cultured, polished appearance, rather than one that was more rugged and robust.  This preference for a "sensitive" guy might even suggest a marked increase in picture postcard images aimed at a larger, more independent, female postcard buying audience following World War I.

This Week's Featured Items: Hand-Tinted French Postcards of Beautiful Hats

This week's featured items in the Red Poulaine shop are four postcards featuring hats, each beautifully hand-tinted. Three of the cards have images of large-brimmed sunhats, while in the fourth the hat is a cloche with a narrow brim.

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Hand-Tinted 1920's Flapper in Gorgeous Hat

This lovely card by Opera of Paris shows a cheerful young woman as the hat model. The hat itself is made of a textured fabric, with the crown circled by an elaborate ribbon. The card has been beautifully hand-tinted, depicting the model as a strawberry blond, while the red ribbon with gold edging contrasts marvelously with the solid black of the hat. A wonderful card for anyone interested in the fashions of the 20s and, especially, in hats.

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Hand-Tinted 1920's Flapper in Wonderful Hat

Here's a card from French postcard publisher RP that features a model wearing a rose red sunhat with a pink underbrim of crinkled fabric. The hat truly highlights the delicate features and wistful expression of the model. The pale yellow-green hand-tinting of the dress provides a marvelous almost neutral shade that complements the deep rosy shades of the hat and the model's lipstick. We can just imagine her at an elegant garden tea party, looking up into the eyes of her first beau and soon-to-be fiancé. Alternatively, she's a mushroom fairy, possibly the queen of the woodland mushrooms, who has deigned to grace a favoured table at the lucky hostess' garden party and the young man who is smitten by her beauty may disappear for the next seven years.

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Hand-Tinted 1920s Flapper in Marvelous Hat

The third of our sunhat postcards is also from France, by the publisher Leo. This card, like the others, has been hand-painted, and her blond hair has just a tint of red. Her pearl necklace has been painted to match her hot pink lipstick, while her hat is a lovely shade of blue and has trimmed with fine golden-yellow lace.

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Beautiful Hand-Tinted Image of Young Woman 1923

This is a very charming image and the model has a truly wonderful smile. Still, we chose this one for our shop primarily because of the wonderful example it presents of fine hand-coloration. Truly remarkable work. From the detail work on her silk blouse, the gentle rouging of her cheeks, to the implied reflection of light off the satin ribbon on her hat. So wonderful! A celebration of Spring!