This exquisite antique portrait features a formally posed couple, likely from the late 19th to early 20th century. The original 16" x 20" black-and-white photograph has been meticulously hand-colored to add subtle and lifelike hues to the sitters' faces, clothing, and hair. The man, dressed in a dark suit with a neatly groomed mustache, sits beside a woman wearing a high-collared white blouse, which is delicately highlighted to bring out its texture and detail.
The portrait is housed in a beautifully carved, ornate wooden frame, measuring 23" x 27", with intricate scrollwork typical of the period. The frame adds to the grandeur of the piece, making it a striking decorative item for any home or collection.
This hand-colored photograph is a wonderful example of early photographic enhancement techniques, where color was applied to black-and-white images to enhance realism and emotional warmth. Its larger size and the detailed craftsmanship of the frame suggest that this portrait was a treasured family heirloom, created to preserve the memory of loved ones.
This piece would be an elegant addition to collections of antique photographs, early 20th-century memorabilia, or period-specific décor.