Refining Gold With Fire

May Crowley, c. 1894 This elegant portrait of May Crowley captures the refined fashion and composure of the late Victorian era. Her off-shoulder gown adorned with a satin ribbon reflects the transitional style of the 1890s, when women’s evening wear began to emphasize a more natural silhouette compared to the earlier bustle period. The photograph’s ornate studio backdrop and carved chair add to the sense of formality typical of high-society portraiture at the time. Crowley’s confident pose and d