when backs are better than fronts...

it is not uncommon for me to buy something for all the wrong reasons. in this case, a cdv, where the photograph itself was incredibly boring (a portrait of a generic looking old woman's face), but the backside graphics for the photographer's studio are incredible! here you can see a little tiny fairyland of butterflies and spirits under the influence of asian aesthetics at the height of their influence on artists like whistler, as well as much european design in the late 1800's. it's quite remarkable that a portait studio would advertise their wares in such a mysterious and childlike way.