Sisters and Their Grandmother: A Family Portrait of the Bentley Women
Dublin Core
Identifier
AR-0021
Title
Sisters and Their Grandmother: A Family Portrait of the Bentley Women
Date
c 1950
Subject
African American families.
African American women.
Portrait photography--United States--1950-1960.
African American women.
Portrait photography--United States--1950-1960.
Description
This is a hand-tinted studio portrait featuring Mary Frances Bentley (left), her grandmother, Catherine Taylor (center), and her sister, Lucille Bentley (right), sitting closely together in a formal pose.
Mary Frances is dressed in a light-colored skirt suit with a matching hat, accessorized with a dark blouse underneath, burgundy shoes, and a clutch purse resting on her lap. She is smiling, with her left arm draped around her grandmother’s shoulder.
Catherine Taylor, at the center, has a slight smile and wears a floral-patterned dress with lace detailing and with dark shoes.
Lucille Bentley, seated to the right, has a bright smile and wears a yellow suit with a light-colored top underneath, a knee-length skirt and dark shoes, and also has a clutch purse resting on her lap
The backdrop features a painted studio scene depicting a waterfall and evergreen trees.
The photograph is in fair condition with discoloration, creases, and tears, mostly at the top and along the edges.
Mary Frances is dressed in a light-colored skirt suit with a matching hat, accessorized with a dark blouse underneath, burgundy shoes, and a clutch purse resting on her lap. She is smiling, with her left arm draped around her grandmother’s shoulder.
Catherine Taylor, at the center, has a slight smile and wears a floral-patterned dress with lace detailing and with dark shoes.
Lucille Bentley, seated to the right, has a bright smile and wears a yellow suit with a light-colored top underneath, a knee-length skirt and dark shoes, and also has a clutch purse resting on her lap
The backdrop features a painted studio scene depicting a waterfall and evergreen trees.
The photograph is in fair condition with discoloration, creases, and tears, mostly at the top and along the edges.
Rights
Rights over this image are held by Antonia Rose. Permission to reproduce, distribute, or otherwise use this image must be obtained from Antonia Rose prior to any use.
Extent
9 x 12 in.
Type
Still Image
Format
Original hand-tinted photographic print
Citation
“Sisters and Their Grandmother: A Family Portrait of the Bentley Women,” Wayne State University - School of Information Sciences, accessed May 11, 2026, https://waynestateu.omeka.net/items/show/2466.