CLARA BOW - Lot 115

Lot n° 115
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Estimation :
160 - 210 EUR
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Result : 95EUR
CLARA BOW - Lot 115
CLARA BOW Paramount portrait, 1920s. Photo, vintage silver print, captioned and annotated on the back. 25.8 x 20.4 cm. Some handling marks, particularly on the white edges (two corner tips missing). Note: A very fine portrait of Clara Bow, the emblematic figure of silent cinema and embodiment of the "It Girl" of the 1920s, made for Paramount productions. This image fully illustrates the refined, expressive aesthetic of the late silent period, where light and framing play a direct part in the dramatic construction of the face. The profile, stretched to the right and emphasized by directional lighting creating a halo in the background, gives the composition an almost sculptural dimension. The treatment of the gaze, intense and projected off-camera, accentuates the effect of mystery and desire, essential characteristics of Clara Bow's public image. The short, wavy hairstyle, typical of the 1920s, and the slightly theatrical pose reinforce the work's adherence to the visual codes of the period. Paramount portraits of Clara Bow are particularly sought-after, due to the actress's historical importance in American popular culture and the relative rarity of well-preserved original prints. The presence of a caption and annotations on the verso confirms the promotional use of this print, intended for press or public distribution. The quality of the print, the finesse of the contrasts and the modernity of the composition make this photograph a striking testimony to the golden age of silent cinema and the birth of the Hollywood star system. Note :
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