Musical accompaniment: Dreaming by Al Bowlly.
Clarence Hudson White was one of the original members of the Photo-Secession Movement.
I like his photographs a lot–we’ve looked at several of them: blowing bubbles in cyanotype, his early morning pictures of his wife and in New England, and at the edge of the woods in the evening.
These portraits were both taken in 1908 and despite the similarities in the girls’ age and appearance, their personalities make them look very different.
This is Miss Mary Everett:
Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
This one doesn’t include the subject’s name, it’s simply called Girl with Rose.
Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
The last one has some strange appeal for me. It’s called Telegraph Poles and it was taken in 1903.
Archive.org
old spirituals 
Just scrolled through White’s portfolio. He obviously was obsessed with photographing women. The photo he titled “The Kiss,” taken in 1904, must have had shocked people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to look that one up. It’s called “The Kiss (The Reynolds sisters).” It’s funny, isn’t it? I think the sisterly kiss has entirely disappeared from Western culture. I saw some pictures of Sophia Loren a while back. She brought her sister as her guest to a film festival in the 1950s. It looked odd to see them kissing too. I don’t think it was ever common but it was once a thing.
LikeLike
You are absolutely correct, kissing upon getting another person is common practice in Europe and Sophia Loren is Italian. By the way, Sophia was 91 years old this past September.
LikeLiked by 1 person
91! Wow, she isn’t someone you ever think of as aging.
LikeLike
I think I understand what you see in the telegraph photo. it’s a lost sight
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess that could be at least part of it… I am always interested in lost cultural elements. I don’t know if that entirely explains the fascination but it’s a good start!
LikeLike
White was a master at catching the sweet freshness of youth. Love the music.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was, wasn’t he? That might have been his special gift… transmitting youthfulness!
LikeLike