Untitled c. 1930s

This photograph from an undated series was created by Caroline Whiting Fellows. Her series of works utilize stop-motion animation to present colorful compositions. During the mid-20th century, when this photograph was made, the roles of women in society were being renegotiated. Fellows was part of a generation of women who sought creative outlets and professional opportunities beyond traditional domestic roles. She developed her artistic voice in a male-dominated field through experimentation with new techniques. The dolls appear to dance, mirroring societal expectations of grace and performance for women, as the artist seemingly infuses life into static objects. The presence of music and movement, combined with the delicate blooms, evokes a sense of fleeting beauty and joy. The dolls and musical instruments are deliberately staged, yet there's a tension between artificiality and a desire to capture genuine emotion. Fellows provides a glimpse into both a personal aesthetic and the broader cultural currents shaping her time.