There is something magical about old pictures, they really seem like special objects as they bring back a slice of life that’s long gone. Especially amateur, or family photos of old…
There’s and amazing website, Fortepan.hu, which collects amateur photographs from 1900 to 1990, which you can browse and enjoy and also share if you feel like it! The creators collected old negatives and slides, saved pictures from being lost forever. Luckily for us, one day they started to scan and publish them online for everyone to see. So now time travel really is possible for us! All we need is some free time to immerse yourself in the everyday life of the 20th century...
These pictures are from Fortepan too, from between 1900 and 1910. Looking through the pictures, (and let me warn you, you can get lost in this website for hours and hours...) I saw the past century come alive and felt instantly transported. It’s amazing to see how people weren’t any different from us a 100 years ago, really. You see laid back, smiling girls or clumsy ladies, ashamed of looking into the camera, or looking piercingly straight into it, stolen moments and carefully organised scenes.
Not only can you pan the history of 20th century Hungary through the eyes of everyday people, the evolution of fashion is also fascinating!
Look at the pleating, the ruffles of the hat and the dainty but long necklace! Swoon!
What a wonderful little room, with the dressing table and pictures on the wall… Of course the fingerprint gives it extra charm!
Don’t you think these girls made their dresses themselves and they’re really proud of them? (Also, what’s up with the flying piano?)
I bet the Sartorialist wishes sometimes he could travel back in time and take some streetstyle pictures like this! These girls seem to walk with such confidence!
This wedding picture is so sweet… Just look out for the guest of honour, the dog. :D
This picture is my favourite of them all... Such happiness, such ease.
I've got new imaginary friends.
I could go on and on about each picture and choose more and more, every detail spins a whole story for me. So go on and visit Fortepan and have a browse. You can also read more about their project here!
I rather enjoy time travel, so you might see similar posts in the future. :)
