from the archive. . . .

I spent the last couple of days in the photography archive in Noumea, New Caledonia.   I came across this amateur photographer named Nicolas Ratzel (self portrait above).   They are autochromes.  Unfortunately the individual works are not dated, but the collection as a whole is dated 1920-1940.  I (of course) was struck by the flower still lives and interiors, but the portrait of the two women is also interesting (that is not the right word).

Notre salon, Baie de l’Orphelinat, commune de Nouméa.

Bégonias et chrysanthèmes.

Vase orange et fleurs.

Maman et Popée.