19 Amazing Vintage Images Of Greenwich Village’s Bohemian Women Circa 1915

by Robyn Smith

One black and white photography magazine, Monovisions, just captured the coolest of cool: Bohemian Greenwich Village in the 1910s and ’20s. A collection of pictures taken by American photojournalist Jessie Tarbox Beals just made our hit list, displaying hip shops and radical ladies exposing their ankles (and maybe more). If you’re curious, look on at the wonderous moments from life before beards, flannels, and, dare I say it, the internet took over the neighborhood.

Here’s what Monovisions had to say:

“Jessie Tarbox Beals (1870 – 1942) was an American photographer, the first published female photojournalist in the United States mostly known for her portraits of places such as Bohemian Greenwich Village.

“Greenwich Village became widely identified as America’s bohemia by the mid-1910s. The radicals who lived in Greenwich Village in the early 20th century rejected traditional structured socialization, preferring instead bohemian informality. Yet they often met in Village hangouts to discuss their ideas about revolution and art. These places, and the individuals that frequented them, earned the Village its reputation as America’s Left Bank and attracted tourists and those who wanted to live the bohemian lifestyle.”

the lady

“Allison at her kitchen stove, dying scarves, ca. 1912-1920.”

jenny criswell

“Portrait of Jenny Criswell, ca. 1912-1918.”

 
dorothy baxter

“Portrait of Dorothy Baxter, ca. 1918-1920.”

 
 

“Informal group portrait, ca. 1917-1926.”

 
 
gallery

“Beals standing in the gallery doorway, 1917.”

 
garrett coffee house

“Group portrait, indoors, of people gathered at the Garrett Coffee House, ca. 1912-1917.”

 
helen clarke

“Informal group portrait of Helen Clarke and an unidentified woman inventorying merchandise, ca. 1917-1927.” 

her shop

“Edith Hayes Thompson standing in the doorway of Her Shop, ca. 1912-1926.” 

jane and howard

“Informal group portrait of ‘Jane and Howard,’ 1917.”

 
joan and lin

“Joan Schromache and Lin inside their shop, Jolin’s, ca. 1915-1926.”

 
miss povry

“Portrait of Miss Povry, ca. 1918-1920.”

 
newton and mann

“Newton and Mann in their office, ca. 1915-1926.” 

old woman 
“Ruth Murchison standing in front of the entrance to The Little Shop Around the Corner, ca. 1912-1926.”

 

the maid

“Portrait of an unidentified woman seated on a porch rail, ca. 1918-1920.” 

the painter

“Portrait of Charlotte Powell standing on a ladder and painting the exterior of The Village Store, Sheridan Square, ca. 1915-1926.” 

the paint box

“Florence Gough and friends and/or patrons inside of her shop, The Paint Box, ca. 1912-1925.” 

the treasure box

“Teddy Peck (left) and Romayne Benjamin (right) in their retail shop, The Treasure Box, ca. 1918-1920.”

washington square book shop

“Informal group portrait of an unidentified man and woman, ca. 1912-1926.” 

wisp tea room

“Informal profile-portrait of an unidentified man, ca. 1912-1920.”

lin

Photos via Monovisions

More From BUST 

40 Joan Didion Photos And Quotes To Inspire You To Do More With Your Life

These Photos Show Motherhood Like You’ve Never Seen It

These Striking Black And White Photos Of Women Are A Riot For Your Eyeballs 

 

You may also like

Get the print magazine.

The best of BUST in your inbox!

Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter

About Us

Founded in 1993, BUST is the inclusive feminist lifestyle trailblazer offering a unique mix of humor, female-focused entertainment, uncensored personal stories, and candid reporting that tells the truth about women’s lives.

©2023 Street Media LLC.  All Right Reserved.