The Fascinator
In the mid-1940s, the term “Fascinator” described a crocheted scarf, such as the one modeled by my sister, Barbara, on the right. She had seen a similar scarf on the cover of Life Magazine in January 1945 and begged my parents for one which she received on her 7th birthday on June 14, 1946.
Assuming the same pose as the model on the Life cover, my sister posed for her portrait in a black velvet dress with lace sleeves. Her large eyes and demure smile accurately revealed her sweet personality.
The budding beauty of my sister is also revealed in this photo which, for me will always represent her gentle essence.
Forsaken Am I .
This 1949 image of the artist’s youngest daughter, Carol, was taken in his Buffalo home studio. With no interest in being photographed that day, the child began running around with a light bulb, until her father took it from her. Carol looked up at him in despair at the loss of her toy..
Initially filing the photo away, it wasn’t until hearing the 1961 Peggy Lee song, Oh Love Hast Thou Forsaken Me, that he decided to submit the print for exhibition, and although some questioned if the photo was the result of the artist’sharshness towards his daughter, I knew that criticism was totally unfounded.
And how do I know? Because I was the child in the photograph, and my sister never tired of reminding me how badly I behaved that day.