Photograph, Black-and-White
Object number2024.25.2
Date1930
MediumPhotographic paper; Wood; Glass; Paint; Paperboard/Particleboard; Metal; Adhesive tape
Credit LineGift of Jack Shreve
DescriptionFramed black-and-white photograph. Rectangular photograph is in vertical orientation and depicts a bust portrait of a light-skinned middle-aged woman facing front and gazing directly at the viewer with a very slight smile. The woman has dark gray hair in an updo, wears stud earrings, a pearl necklace, and a gray dress with white polka dots. Photograph's background is white. Frame is painted gold wood and is comprised of a rectangular frame swivel-mounted in an upright stand with rectangular tiered base with two uprights. Front of rectangular frame has shallow decorative relief. Reverse of rectangular frame is covered in particle board or paperboard that is held in place with framing darts and faced around the perimeter with wide beige masking tape. Underside of frame is unpainted.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Framed): 12.25 x 11.25 x 2.563 in. (31.1 x 28.6 x 6.5 cm)Height x Width (Visible photograph (sight size)): 9.688 x 6.625 in. (24.6 x 16.8 cm)
InscriptionsBack of backing board has blue handwritten text that is only partially visible and difficult to read, possibly reads "Dictator / ..."
Historical NotesFramed picture of Carmela (née Galizia) Scarsella, which was on view in the family home in Farrell. The photograph is Carmela’s 1930 passport photo. Carmela (née Galizia) Scarsella traveled on a steamship journey from Italy in 1895. She was traveling to New Castle, Pennsylvania to marry James Scarsella, another Italian immigrant from the village of Muro Lucano in the region of Basilicata. Shepherding was a common profession in Muro Lucano and Carmela's family owned a tenuta (farm). It was the loss of the farm due to drought and a series of poor harvests that necessitated the emigration of most of Carmela's siblings (the farm was later reclaimed by the family). The Galizia farm supported sheep.
Related person
James Scarsella
Related person
Carmela Scarsella
(died 1950)
On View
Not on view
1950s
Hartsook
