Amélie Diéterle: A Muse of the Belle Époque

Born 1871 in Strasbourg, French actress and opera singer Amélie Diéterle went to Paris in 1889 where she was chosen from 40 competitors to enter the Concerts Colonne. Her little voice flutée and her nose “trumpet” make her very popular and very appreciated. She became the protégé of art collector Paul Gallimard, who was also the owner of the Variety Theater. She also inspired poets Léon Dierx and Stéphane Mallarmé.

Auguste Renoir made three portraits of her, a lithograph in gray on wove paper in 1899, exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago Museum and a pastel in 1903, exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston. The two paintings depict Amélie Diéterle wearing a white hat. The third portrait, made around 1910, is a pastel, currently at the Antoine-Lecuyer Museum in Saint-Quentin.

Alfred Philippe Roll made a painting of Diéterle in June 1913, showing her half-naked sitting in a garden chair with. This painting is donated by Mrs. Henriette Roll at the Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris, at the Petit Palais. It has achieved great notoriety as is still reflected today the many postcards of the 1900s that represent it.

Diéterle lived for a long time in the city of Croissy-sur-Seine. She withdraws progressively from the scene between 1920 and 1923. In 1940, she took refuge in Vallauris and died in Cannes after a long illness in 1941 at the age of 70.

Here are some fascinating vintage portraits of a young Amélie Diéterle, one of the popular actresses of the Belle Époque until the beginning of the Années Folles.

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22 Amazing Daguerreotype Portraits of People Posing With Their Beloved Pets

Such was not the case in the mid-19th century, when the first-ever widely accessible form of photography, known as the daguerreotype process, made its way to the young United States.

Before this time, it was impossible to know someone’s true appearance unless you met them in person. You could not look back on the faces of your children once they reached adulthood, nor those of your late parents once they were laid to rest. Experiences and happenings were preserved only after hours of effort painting, drawing or writing prose, and even then, with striking imperfection. Daguerreotypes gave the American people the ability to preserve, not merely imagine, their collective history.

The daguerreotype, the first photographic process, was invented by Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre (1787–1851) and spread rapidly around the world after its presentation to the public in Paris in 1839. Exposed in a camera obscura and developed in mercury vapors, each highly polished silvered copper plate is a unique photograph that, when viewed in proper light, exhibits extraordinary detail and three-dimensionality.

Although born in Europe, the daguerreotype was extremely popular in the United States—especially in New York City, where in the late 1850s hundreds of daguerreotypists vied for clients. The most successful artists built lavish portrait studios on the upper floors of buildings on and just off Broadway, and in other major American cities from Boston to San Francisco.

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Taking an Early Selfie!? Pictures of La Goulue, ca. 1885

La Belle Époque, the “Beautiful Era” was a prosperous, modern, tantalizing period of French history. It was a period marked by technological, scientific, industrial advancement, as well as influential progression in the arts.

During the Belle Époque, a new, vivacious world was brought to life… a world full of immensely cultural, golden glory. Joy and creativity were given the opportunity to thrive in a colorful, artistic atmosphere. Modern acts and thoughts were given the opportunity to dance and flirt among the throngs of entertainment. There was noise and there was laughter. There was optimism and there was brilliancy. There was art and there was dance. There was burlesque and there were courtesans.

There was the Moulin Rouge, and there was the wild, fearless can-can dancer, La Goulue.

Extraordinary Vintage Portraits of American Women at the Turn of the 20th Century

This collection of photographs, shot by photographer James Arthur at the studio of Arthur & Philbric in Detroit, Michigan.

James Arthur was born on May 27, 1855 in Montreal. His parents were both immigrants from Scotland who were financially well off. Arthur attended prestigious private schools where it is implied that he developed the artistic eye that would influence his photographic work that followed. Following his father’s death, Arthur began working as a photographer with the well known J. and J. W. Notman studio.

He came to Detroit in 1881 and went to work with photographer J. E. Watson. In 1883 he became senior partner in the firm of Arthur & Philbric and they remained in business together for eight years. He then became sole proprietor of a firm called Arthur Studios.

Research also yielded information about Philbric. Most notable is that Philbric was a woman. Her name was Helen M. Philbric and her name appears in Michigan business directories as Arthur’s partner between 1884 and 1893.

On January 12, 1912, James Arthur died a successful and prominent photographer in his Detroit home. Ten years after his death, in a book detailing the early history of Detroit, Arthur was described as one the foremost photographers in the United States.

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40 Charming Portrait Photos of Victorian Ladies Wearing Jewelry

Within the Victorian period, jewelry consisted of a diverse variety of styles and fashions. These periods can be categorized into three distinct timeframes: The Romantic period, the Grand period and the Aesthetic period.

The first period in Victorian jewelry is known as the Romantic period or early Victorian period (1837-1861). During this period, inspiration derived from the Renaissance, Middle Ages and the natural world. This period saw a rise in the use of gold material, which contributed to the construction of jewelry.

The second period in Victorian jewelry is known as the Grand period or the mid-Victorian period (1861- 1885). This period saw a sharp change in design from delicate to bold which paralleled the changing social roles and representation of women at the time. During this period, imitations of jewelry were prominent and costume jewelry originated. This period witnessed the emergence of women in business and politics and saw women demanding to study at university, the right to vote and to earn their own money.

The third period in Victorian jewelry is known as the Aesthetic period or the late Victorian period (1885-1901). During this period, there was a distinct change in how women wore jewelry. This period encouraged the agency of women in society, with women’s rise to power with the creation of their own political organizations. This change encouraged freedom of thought and less of a desire to be seen as feminine. Due to this, significantly less jewelry was purchased with women only choosing to wear jewelry on special occasions, and little jewelry being worn casually throughout the day.

Here below is a set of charming photos that shows portraits of Victorian ladies wearing jewelry.

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Amazing Vintage Footage Captured a Snowball Fight Scene in Lyon, France in 1897

Bataille de neige (Snow Fight) is an 1897 French short silent film produced by the Lumiére brothers. Filmed in Lyon, France, it depicts a number of individuals engaged in a snowball fight on a city street.

The camera is centered on a pathway made through a snow-covered city street. On both side of the pathway, several men and women are engaged in a snowball fight. At first they’re not aimed at anyone but soon a man comes along riding a bicycle.

Bataille de neige is one of the best known films from Lumiére, which is easy to understand why since the image of people throwing snowballs is just downright fun. Even when viewing this film today you can’t help but watch it with a smile as it’s clear everyone is having a good time and we’re given a twist with a minor subplot involving the bicycle rider.

The film was shot with a cinématographe, an all-in-one camera, which also serves as a film projector and developer. As with all early Lumière movies, this film was made in a 35 mm format with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1.

Hans Trapp, the Terrifying Boogeyman of Christmas

Hans Trapp is a legendary boogeyman from the Alsace and Lorraine regions of France. He accompanies Santa Claus to punish naughty children at Christmas. While Santa delivers presents and gifts, Hans Trapp delivers beatings.

The Christmas legend of Hans Trapp is based on a real German knight, and begins with a wealthy man stealing people’s money and partying so hard that the pope ex-communicates him. The story goes that Trapp then sells his soul to the devil to pursue a life of sin, which naturally forces him into a hobby of eating human flesh, as one is known to do. 

Banished from society for being one creepy mofo, he lived in the woods and dressed as a scarecrow, stuffing straw into his clothes and at times wearing a black cloak. He spends his time trying to lure children into the woods to eat them. 

Hans Trapp coming through the window like a creep.

One day after roasting a shepherd boy over a fire (or just getting ready to, the legend goes back and forth on this one), God decided enough was enough and struck him down with a lightning bolt that split his head open. 

But that didn’t stop this cannibal – he got a new gig helping St. Nick out by keeping naughty kids in line. 

This terrifying Boogeyman of Christmas is said to scare or punish children in the Alsace and Lorraine regions of France to this day. Some accounts of Hans Trapp paint him in a rosier light, saying he regrets his life of sin. In these versions, he visits misbehaving children dressed as a scarecrow and tries to persuade to be more virtuous than he was, usually by scaring them into it. 

Le Hans Trapp - 1953 à Wintzenheim (Alsace, France)

But other stories, in classic creepy Christmas fashion, say he goes around marking children he wants to eat on Christmas Eve. 

The German knight this legend is based on was named Hans Von Trotha and was born in 1450. Apparently he didn’t really do any of this stuff except get into a war against an abbey, which led to him being ex-communicated by the Pope. But who really cares about those pesky details when you can just scare the crap out of your kids on Christmas instead?

(via MissDirection Entertainment)

20 Amazing Photochrom Prints of Amsterdam From the Late 19th Century

The 17th century is considered Amsterdam’s Golden Age, during which it became the wealthiest city in the western world. Ships sailed from Amsterdam to the Baltic Sea, North America, and Africa, as well as present-day Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, and Brazil, forming the basis of a worldwide trading network. Amsterdam’s merchants had the largest share in both the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India Company. These companies acquired overseas possessions that later became Dutch colonies.

The end of the 19th century is sometimes called Amsterdam’s second Golden Age. New museums, a railway station, and the Concertgebouw were built; in this same time, the Industrial Revolution reached the city. The Amsterdam–Rhine Canal was dug to give Amsterdam a direct connection to the Rhine, and the North Sea Canal was dug to give the port a shorter connection to the North Sea. Both projects dramatically improved commerce with the rest of Europe and the world.

Here below is a set of amazing Photochrom prints from Library of Congress that shows street scenes of Amsterdam around 1890.

Amsterdam. Blue bridge and the Amstel River, circa 1890

Amsterdam Centraal Station, circa 1890

Amsterdam Post Office, circa 1890

Amsterdam. Dam Square with the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) on the left, circa 1890

Amsterdam. De Waag or weighing house at right, originally a gate in the city walls and now a subway station, Nieuwmarkt, circa 1890

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Frau Perchta, the Terrifying Christmas Witch

Frau Perchta was also known as Berchta, or Bertha, and has also been called “Spinnstubenfrau” or “Spinning Room Lady.” She is often depicted with a beaked nose made of iron, dressed in rags, perhaps carrying a cane, and generally resembles a decrepit old crone. But this old crone packs a mighty wallop... and carries a long knife hidden under her skirt.

Percheta, a Christmas European tradition is shown here as Peruehty in the Kingdom of Bohemia, 1910.

In the folklore of Bavaria and Austria, Perchta was said to roam the countryside at midwinter, and to enter homes during the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany (especially on the Twelfth Night).

She would know whether the children and young servants of the household had behaved well and worked hard all year. If they had, they might find a small silver coin the next day, in a shoe or pail. If they had not, she would slit their bellies open, remove their stomach and guts, and stuff the hole with straw and pebbles.

She was particularly concerned to see that girls had spun the whole of their allotted portion of flax or wool during the year. She would also slit people’s bellies open and stuff them with straw if they ate something on the night of her feast day, other than the traditional meal of fish and gruel.

Frau Perchta (right) from Hans Vintler’s Die Pluemen der Tugent.

50 Amazing Photos of Queensland in the Late 19th Century

1891 saw the Great Shearers’ Strike at Barcaldine leads to formation of the Australian Labor Party. The issue in the strike was whether employers were entitled to use non-union labour. There were troops and police called in, some sheds were fired, and there were mass riots. There was a second shearers strike in 1894. Union sponsored candidates won sixteen seats at the Queensland elections in 1893.

The 1893 Brisbane flood caused much destruction including destroying the Victoria Bridge. The land where the Brisbane Cricket Ground now sits was first used as a cricket ground in 1895, with the first cricket match played there in December 1896.

In 1897, Native (Aboriginal) Police force disbanded. In 1899, the world’s first Labor government, with Premier Anderson Dawson as the leader, was elected into power only to last one week. In July 1899 Queensland offered to send a force of 250 mounted infantry to help Britain in the Second Boer War (Second Anglo-Boer War). Also in that year, gold production at Charters Towers peaked. The first natural gas find in Queensland and Australia was at Roma in 1900 as a team was drilling a water well.

The Mahina Cyclone of 1899 strikes Cape York Peninsula, destroying a pearling fleet in Princess Charlotte Bay. The cyclone claimed the lives of around 400 people, making it Queensland’s worst maritime disaster.

These amazing photos from Queensland State Archives show what Queensland looked like in the 1890s.

Hay stacking, Green Hills Farm near Warwick, 1894

300 acre wheatfield, Canning Downs near Warwick, 1894

Fitzroy Bridge, Rockhampton, circa 1894

Interior of wool shed, Jondaryan, 1894

Merino sheep ready for shearing, Jondaryan, 1894

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22 Amazing Photochrom Prints of Warsaw in the 19th Century

Warsaw flourished throughout the 19th century under Mayor Sokrates Starynkiewicz (1875–92), who was appointed by Alexander III. Under Starynkiewicz Warsaw saw its first water and sewer systems designed and built by the English engineer William Lindley and his son, William Heerlein Lindley, as well as the expansion and modernisation of trams, street lighting, and gas infrastructure.

Between 1850 and 1882, the population grew by 134% to 383,000 as a result of rapid urbanisation and industrialisation. Many migrated from surrounding rural Masovian towns and villages to the city for employment opportunities. The western borough of Wola was transformed from an agricultural periphery occupied mostly by small farms and windmills (mills being the namesake of Wola's central neighborhood Młynów) to an industrial and manufacturing centre. Metallurgical, textile and glassware factories were commonplace, with chimneys dominating the westernmost skyline.

Like London, Warsaw's population was subjected to income segmentation. Gentrification of inner suburbs forced poorer residents to move across the river into Praga or Powiśle and Solec districts, similar to the East End of London and London Docklands.[46] Poorer religious and ethnic minorities such as the Jews settled in the crowded parts of northern Warsaw, in Muranów.

The Imperial Census of 1897 recorded 626,000 people living in Warsaw, making it the third-largest city of the Empire after St. Petersburg and Moscow as well as the largest city in the region. Grand architectural complexes and structures were also erected in the city centre, including the Warsaw Philharmonic, the Church of the Holiest Saviour and tenements along Marszałkowska Street.

These amazing Photochrom prints from Library of Congress captured street scenes of Warsaw in 1890.

Faubourg de Cracow, Warsaw

Copernicus Monument, Warsaw

Grand theatre, Warsaw

John III Sobieski Monument at Łazienki Park, Warsaw

King Sigismund's monument, Warsaw

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The Oldest House in Aveyron, France; Built Some Time in the 14th Century

This house, called “Maison de Jeanne” (“Jeanne’s House”), located at 10, rue de la rue Belvezet, Sévérac-le-Château, is one of the oldest houses in Aveyron, France. The house was built some time in the 14th century.

According to Le Figaro, “some people are surprised by the corbelled structure which is getting wider and wider until it was explained to them that at the time, the French already wanted to pay as little tax as possible and that they were relying on the floor surface of the building... Moviegoers see it as a set from the Game of Thrones series or the home of the Weasley family in Harry Potter. Finally, many dream of discovering the interior or even spending a night there...”

The “Maison de Jeanne”, named after its last owner, a painter, is a two-storey house, with half-timbered walls, partly made of cob, with its kitchen or “cantou” that has remained intact and its superb vaulted cellar that has preserved its wooden feed troughs, proving that in the Middle Ages, the inhabitants of the towns fed their animals in the heart of the houses before letting them wander through the town’s alleyways.

In July and August, it hosts medieval events and opens its doors on this occasion. The place, with a capacity of twenty people, is open to the public for free or guided visits.

Sublime and Atmospheric Photos By Léonard Misonne

Léonard Misonne (1870 – 1943) was a Belgian pictorialist photographer. He is best known for his atmospheric photographs of landscapes and street scenes, with light as a key feature, and as a pioneer of pictorialism. According to the Directory of Belgian Photographers, “Misonne’s work is characterised by a masterly treatment of light and atmospheric conditions. His images express poetic qualities, but sometimes slip into an anecdotal sentimentality.”

 

Misonne would often photograph things that were strongly illuminated from behind, producing a halo effect. He would also retouch the lighting effects in his photographs, experimenting with and using many techniques, such as the Fresson process and later the bromoil and mediobrome processes. “If I were asked what I have learned during my forty years as a photographer,” said Misonne, nicknamed “the Corot of photography”. “I should reply – the most important thing I have learned is to observe the beautiful effects of atmosphere and light.” He also invented the “flou-net” and “photo-dessin” processes.

Take a look through these extraordinary photographs taken by Misonne:

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