Q & A

J.V.A. of Claresholm, Alberta writes:

My Dad inherited this picture after his mother died in the 1970's. It is titled La Pappillon (the butterfly). He says his mother carried it with her when they came to Canada in the early 1950's. It was so important to her that when she returned to Europe, she brought the picture with her and then back again to Canada. He also used to tell me me the lady in the portrait is a distant relative - perhaps a good story.

I have looked at it closely and it does have a dot structure, which probably means it is a reproduction. However, if it were "printed" in the '40's, the printing process would have taken several passes to get the colors correct (I am in the graphic design industry).

My feeling is that the frame may be of more value monetarily than the picture itself. That would not take away from the sentimental value of this lovely lady for our family. We don't have much to remember grandma by otherwise.

I am interested in learning more about it, if you can give me some information.

We asked Colin Ritchie to respond:

The picture is definitely a print, most likely produced by a photolithographic process. Please don't ask me to explain the technique other then to say it is a mechanical process which can produce unlimited numbers of copies.

Subjects like this one were very popular in the 1920's and 30's and were often used for advertising purposes. I am surprised that there is no finely printed information along the bottom edge of the colour picture stating who did the printing and who produced the original, as well as a date or copyright.

The frame is indeed the most valuable part of the ensemble. It suggests a date from the early part the 20th century. Although a small photograph, the frame appears to be moulded composition which was then given a coating to resemble wood.

This is really a case of sentimental value. If put up for auction it would likely sell for under $50.