26.00 USD
Gorgeous German nude, circa 1910s. Rather than being an image out of a risque early 1900s Ping Pong strategy guide, we suspect this image was more likely put forth as the awakening of Pygmalion's Galatea (with the added convenience of a hand mirror :)
"Lebender Marmor," or Living Marble. One of a very popular postcard series in which the models, often in (or as in this case not so much "in" as "out of") classical costume, were posed and made up to resemble marble statues. This one is a real beauty, and the silvering only serves to add to the image!
See another card from the same series:
https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/redpoulaine/tools/listings/page:2,stats:true/266700176
Tableaux vivants are a form of performance art in which a costumed actor (in the case of the "tableaux," usually "actors plural") pose motionlessly, creating a scene from a painting, sculpture, etc., that is often recognizable and meaningful to the viewing audience. It puts us in mind of street artists painted in silver or white, and posing as statues for passing tourists at street fairs and the like.
In the early 1900s, it was not uncommon to see tableaux vivants of favorite religious scenes, such as the last supper, or, for example, during the run-up to WWI, a tableau vivant of Washington crossing the Delaware created on the stage of a vaudeville theater in order to stir the patriotic blood of the audience and help out with the recruitment drive.
Wikipedia notes, "The most recent heyday of the tableau vivant was the 19th century, with virtually nude tableaux vivants or poses plastiques providing a form of erotic entertainment."
Even when legislation restricted risque performances in the theaters, it was difficult to shut down a nude tableau vivant or pose plastique (a term we believe was more commonly used to describe this type of performance by a single actor) when it was touted as a work of art!
Our card demonstrates that the popularity of the pose plastique as a theatrical act carried over into picture postcards. We run across these fairly often, with the Lebender Marmor series being one of the nicest, we think.
Please examine our high res scans for detail.
The item you are considering for purchase is, unless otherwise noted, a vintage postcard of approximately 5 and 1/2, by 3 and 1/2 inches. Postage is for fully-insured, first class shipping in a secure photo mailer (to avoid any damage to your purchase in the mails), and we happily combine shipping on all paper goods. If you purchase two cards, we will not charge for postage on the second card, and when you purchase three or more cards from us at the same time, your shipping will be entirely free, except for international orders which, because of increases in international shipping rates will still be charged one card's shipping fees on orders of three or more. We do not charge for insurance or shipping materials, and as of the date of this listing are still charging below our overall cost on shipping.
And please come visit our blog at:
redpoulaine.blogspot.com
where we post biographical and historical tidbits, images of cards and photographs for sale, some already sold but remembered fondly, related images of historical interest and sometimes even images of items that have not yet arrived in the shop, but that are expected to arrive soon, as well as coupon codes, links to other related sites, and more!