Known primarily for his Arts and Crafts-era landscapes of California, Franz Geritz did several small, minimalist portraits of old Hollywood stars throughout his career, among them this simple portrait of silent film femme fatale, Pola Negri.
A Polish dancer and actor Negri came to the United States after Hollywood executives discovered her in Berlin around 1920, offering her a contract with Paramount Pictures. She was the first European woman to be signed to an American film contract and she quickly established herself as a leading tragedienne and sultry beauty. Here, Geritz presents the Art Deco-era star in a style befitting of the times, with the classic 1920s arched brow and her signature turban-style cloche.