Artwork
Gracie Fields
Gracie Fields is a photographic photography by Royal Photographers Bassano Ltd.. It dates from 13 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1928 photographic portrait captures the British entertainer Gracie Fields. Produced by the commercial studio Bassano Ltd., the image presents the singer‑actress in a composed pose typical of early twentieth‑century celebrity portraiture, offering a clear view of her features and attire.
Subject & Meaning
Gracie Fields, renowned for her singing and film work during the interwar period, is the sole focus of the photograph. The portrait emphasizes her public persona, highlighting the charm and approachability that contributed to her widespread appeal in music halls and cinema.
Technique & Style
The image was created using the studio’s standard photographic processes of the late 1920s, likely employing glass‑plate negatives and silver gelatin printing. The composition is straightforward, with balanced lighting that accentuates facial expression while minimizing background distraction, reflecting the era’s preference for clear, dignified representation of public figures.
History & Provenance
Issued by Bassano Ltd., a leading photographic firm that supplied images to newspapers and periodicals, the portrait would have been circulated in press publications and promotional materials. Its survival in museum collections indicates its role as a visual record of Fields’s career during a peak period of her fame.
Artist & collection
Artist
Royal Photographers Bassano Ltd.
This London studio ran like a family photo booth that never closed—except they used glass plates and proper lighting instead of a flash.
