Portrait of a Young Girl with Bobbed Hair
Vintage black and white photographic print on photographic paper, matted and framed • Anonymous commercial studio photographer, likely American
Style & Movement
Mid-20th-Century Vernacular Studio Photography
Medium & Technique
Silver gelatin print utilizing standard mid-20th-century studio portrait photography techniques, soft-focus lighting, and vignette background
Creation Period
Circa 1930s-1940s
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 8 x 10 inches (image), within a rectangular wooden frame measuring approximately 10 x 12 inches
Subject Description
A close-up, bust-length portrait of a smiling young girl with a characteristic 1930s bobbed haircut with bangs and curled ends, wearing a collared dress. The composition utilizes a soft-focus vignette typical of commercial portraiture of the era to emphasize the subject's expression.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good, showing minor surface dust behind glass and slight toning consistent with age
Estimated Market Value
20.00 - 50.00 USD
Auction Estimate
10.00 - 30.00 USD
Provenance History
Directly acquired from family heirlooms or a private estate, with no recorded external institutional provenance
Art Historical Significance
Represents the widespread cultural practice of middle-class family portrait photography in the mid-20th century, serving as a social and familial artifact rather than a fine art piece
Notable Features
Classic period hairstyle and wardrobe styling providing a strong visual marker of 1930s childhood aesthetics, housed in a period-appropriate modest wooden frame
Condition Issues
Minor foxing spots visible near the lower-left quadrant, slight paper toning, and potential trapped dust or mild condensation marks on the interior of the glass
Conservation Recommendations
Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent further fading and UV damage; ensure stable indoor humidity and temperature. Frame opening and internal cleaning by a professional is optional given the low monetary value