"?? I can't tell you why I love you..."

c. 1900-1910

American 20th Century

Associated Names
American 20th Century

Artist

This black-and-white photograph depicts a couple sitting together, embracing. They are both seated in a wide wooden chair with the woman on the left and the man on the right. The man is wearing a dark outfit and boots, while the woman is in a white dress. Both people have light skin and dark hair, and their eyes are closed. The background is a plain gray wall. Overlaid across the photograph are vertical and diagonal lines of overlapping handwritten text in white ink. There are also some small scratches and creases on the surface of the photograph.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Robert E. Jackson

  • Dimensions

    Overall: 14.1 x 11.3 cm (5 9/16 x 4 7/16 in.)
    overall: 14.4 x 11.6 cm (5 11/16 x 4 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2008.134.44

More About this Artwork

Article:  34 Artworks About Love at the National Gallery

From first kisses to tragic romances, our collection abounds with love, in all its forms.

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Robert E. Jackson, Seattle; gift to NGA, 2008.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2007

  • The Art of the American Snapshot, 1888-1978: From the Collection of Robert E. Jackson, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2007 - 2008, no. 25.

Inscriptions

by unknown hand, across recto in negative: I can't tell you why I love you but I do / When you first kiss the last girl you love / Cuddle up beside me dearie / Gee I wish that I had a girl / Oh I care not for the stars that shine / Whats the use of having any bed? / Are you sincere? / Oh I want some one to call me dearie / Please go away and let us spoon / come from Missouri / Does that hurt Gelia? / you will have to show me / Oh Bedelia Gelia! Gelia! / Does that feel like a scratch / Love me and the world is mine / Honey boy I hate to see you leavin / Wont you fondle me / Away down in my heart Ive got a feeling for you / Life is a mixture of sighs and frowns; lower center in black ink: ??

Wikidata ID

Q64144308

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