African Art on Brown Paper ?? Help Please

Found this at an auction and picked it up because it looks unique. It looks like it is some type of art or drawing that was transferred onto brown paper. The brown paper is joined and reminds me of how "in the old days" we would use old paper grocery bags by pulling them apart at the seam and flattening. From the backing it appears to be very old. Any ideas? Thanks a lot for anything at all.

 

@daveydempsey ......i guess either gut this or move it....???

Peggy....this is the wrong Forum...

 

I find this intriguing and think it's a wonderful photograph.

I'm wondering if it was printed using a solar method? I don't know how that's done, though.

If the paper is very acidic, it could have darkened with age. But if it's as dark as it looks in the images, I'd be surprised if it was white or even off-white to begin with.

 

To me it looks dark originally, never white. I've never heard of the solar method. Maybe someone else will add to your thoughts. Thank you

 

Here I hope is a clearer image of the blue label. It is stamped onto whatever was cut out and used for the backing. I have tried googling RIP Tailor Clothing with no luck.

 

Just want to thank everyone for looking at and giving your thoughts on this.

 

It is beautiful, I can see why you bought it.

It looks like a photograph to me as well. Something has been done to make it more 'artsy'.
@Jivvy do you have any idea what this could be?

 

I have no idea

I don't think its irrelevant at all! At least it dates the backing if I understand what I saw when I googled what you gave here and where it led. I would now guess the backing is from somewhere in the late '30's to late 50's --- right?

 

I was looking a bit closer at the faces of the women, and with those high cheekbones I thought they could be Bantu, Southern African. And I found Bantu women with similar wide turbans (and pipes):

https://www.classicafrica.com/Content/Bantu_Tribes_of_Southern_Africa.asp

Maybe this helps.

 

I tagged Jivvy, another member, maybe she has an idea of the technique involved.

 

From the pictures posted so far, I don't have a clue. It does look like someone put a coat of varnish (?) over it?

I would try getting some pictures outside (taken in light shade, no flash). And if you could do a closeup or two at high resolution so we can maybe get a better idea of the process.

If it were mine, I'd take it out of the frame to get a better look. But only if you're comfortable doing that.

 

I think it's later than the hey day of solar enlargements... what size is it?

 

All of you are so resourceful. My continued thanks. It is about 15" X 15" in frame. I am not at all comfortable taking it out of the frame, I have ruined so many nice pieces doing that. I will try to take outdoor pics but doubt if it will be today because we are in the middle of a black ice freeze.

 

If it were a bit smaller, I would question if it could be a magazine cover -- maybe a poster?

 

I totally get not wanting to take it out of the frame.

Sorry about the "outdoor" photo advice -- I live in Florida.

Maybe take photos somewhere inside near a window.

Natural light is usually easier to get good photos -- but it's not required. It's just the print process is impossible to determine without more info.

 

I would welcome Florida weather today. But here are more pics in front of my picture window (on an overcast day). Please notice the last pic which shows a lead pencil next to some lines. Thanks again

 

I'm getting the feeling that this was removed from a magazine - with the straight vertical line between the woman on the right and the one holding the child being (perhaps) evidence of the fold between pages? Nice to see that the background around the women isn't the same brown as their robes.