Studio portrait of two young women posed together, presented in a bold Art Deco mount.
Photograph
Bust-length studio portrait of two young women posed closely side-by-side, suggesting friendship or sisterhood. Both women wear dark dresses with light collars that frame their faces. Their hairstyles are short, softly waved bobs typical of the early 1930s, styled close to the head with subtle finger-waving. Their expressions are relaxed and confident, conveying intimacy and modern femininity. The photograph is surrounded by a dramatic Art Deco mount featuring stepped geometric black banding that emphasizes verticality and symmetry, echoing architectural design motifs of the era.
RE-PH-2026-0097
Gelatin Print – silver bromide
Women
Hats
Stark
circa 1930 – circa 1936
20th Century
Art Deco
California
North America
Studio Location 443 Third Street, San Bernardino, California, United States Stark Studio operated in San Bernardino during a period when Southern California experienced rapid growth due to agriculture, rail commerce, and early industrial expansion. By the 1930s, San Bernardino was a key inland hub connecting Los Angeles with desert and mountain communities. Portrait studios in the region served a growing middle class and frequently adopted fashionable metropolitan design trends, including Art Deco mount styling. The studio’s downtown street address suggests a commercial photographic business catering to families, workers, and young adults marking life milestones such as graduation, employment, or engagement.
American; Southern California; early 20th-century women’s portraiture reflecting modern companionship imagery and fashionable interwar hairstyles.
Very Good
Mar 8, 2026
• Mount shows edge wear and minor corner compression • Surface toning and mild foxing • Slight abrasions to mount finish • Print retains good contrast with soft tonal range • No significant image damage
Historical Note
During the interwar years, studio portraits increasingly emphasized personal relationships and social identity. Images of sisters and close friends became popular as photography grew more accessible and affordable. Women’s fashion of the period favored shorter hairstyles and simplified garments, reflecting broader social shifts toward independence and modernity. Art Deco graphic design influenced not only architecture and consumer goods but also photographic presentation, making mounts an important part of visual style.