Artwork
Three Girls in the Woods (Julia Hall McCune, Stella Howard, and Letitia Felix)
Three Girls in the Woods (Julia Hall McCune, Stella Howard, and Letitia Felix) is a photography by Clarence H. White. It dates from 1902 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Three Girls in the Woods (Julia Hall McCune, Stella Howard, and Letitia Felix) is a 1902 photograph by Clarence H. White, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The photograph depicts three identified individuals - Julia Hall McCune, Stella Howard, and Letitia Felix - in a natural, wooded setting. Their positioning (one standing, two seated with faces averted) and attire (formal, old-fashioned clothing with high collars and full skirts) suggests a contemplative or introspective scene.
Technique & Style
White employed soft, dappled shadows to capture the effect of light filtering through the dense, dark trees, emphasizing the interplay of natural light and shade. The overall composition balances the figures within the landscape, drawing attention to the path and the wooded atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1902, the photograph is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, where it is preserved and exhibited.
Context
As a work from the early 20th century, 'Three Girls in the Woods' reflects the photographic techniques and aesthetic preferences of its time, blending naturalism with a sense of formal, almost painterly composition.
Legacy
While specific influences or direct artistic legacies of 'Three Girls in the Woods' are not widely documented, it contributes to the broader understanding of early 20th-century photography's engagement with natural settings and formal portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Clarence Hudson White was an American photographer, teacher and a founding member of the Photo-Secession movement.
