#41500 Coles Phillips

The composition presents a young woman seated at a richly adorned table, framed within a stylized heart shape. The heart itself is rendered in a vibrant red against a stark white background, creating immediate visual emphasis. Text overlays the image: ALL-AMERICAN GIRL positioned prominently above and “The Art of Coles Phillips” beneath it. Further text, attributed to Michael Schau, appears at the bottom edge.
Here we see the woman depicted with an idealized beauty characteristic of early 20th-century portraiture. Her hair is styled in a fashionable bob, and she wears a flowing white garment that drapes elegantly over her form. She holds a small object – possibly a cigarette or similar slender item – between her fingers, examining it intently. The expression on her face suggests a contemplative mood, perhaps tinged with melancholy or introspection.
The table itself is laden with decorative elements: a vase containing flowers (roses are discernible), ornate carvings, and what appears to be a feather plume. These details contribute to an atmosphere of luxury and refinement. The overall aesthetic evokes a sense of domesticity combined with a subtle undercurrent of sophistication.
Subtexts within the image revolve around notions of femininity, beauty standards, and perhaps even societal expectations for women during the period. The heart shape framing the figure suggests themes of love, desire, or idealized romance. The text ALL-AMERICAN GIRL implies an association with national identity and a specific archetype of female virtue or desirability. The inclusion of the artists name and author’s name indicates that this is likely a reproduction from a publication dedicated to his work, suggesting its value as a cultural artifact rather than solely as a standalone artwork.