Portrait of Nance O'Neil with Head Scarf

Nance O'Neil was called the "American Bernhardt," playing significant roles such as Lady Macbeth and Camille. She moved from theatre to silent film in 1915 after signing with William Fox. She was overshadowed by Fox's other star, Theda Bara, and returned to the theatre in 1918. Nance came back to talking films around 1929 and appeared in several early sound pictures. She has been quoted saying that "tradition has made women cowardly". Here she looks away from the camera forlornly, although the shadow created on the side of her face obscures the direction of her gaze. The resulting shadow constitutes nearly as much of the frame as her own figure, seeming as though it might engulf her as it extends from the bottom of the photograph, into her clothing and across the scarf wrapped around her head.
Portrait of Nance O'Neil with Head Scarf
Inventory
Collection Number
17554
Building
Current Location
Storage Room 303
Floor
Lower Level/Vault
Description
Details
This is a sepia toned print of Nance O'Neil.
Artist
Framed
Yes
 - Glass
Width
1 inches
Height
31 inches
Length
25 inches
Donor
Donor Name
James R. and Joyce A. Finely and Charles David and Linda Hixon
Library Owns
No
Permissions
Reproduce the Work in Library publications/publicity, including film or videotape
Yes
Reproduce
Library has Photography Rights
Yes
Photograph
Permit the general public to photograph the work
Yes
Slides/Video