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A Painted Lady

Extremely unusual for her time, this young woman of the late Victorian era is clearly wearing make-up. She has tweezed her eyebrows and is wearing lipstick, eyeliner and/or shadow, and probably (gasp!) rouge. The jaunty neckerchief is another interesting fashion choice and helps to date the photo. It reflects the popularity of the French apache dance craze of the very early 1900s. This woman was almost certainly an actress, dancer, or some other type of performer, for no "respectable" woman of this era would have been photographed wearing "paint." The large brooch she is wearing on her bosom is an interesting abstract style, probably influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement. In her hair is a bejeweled ribbon. She wears pierced earrings, as well, which appear to be set with oval cabochons.