20 Colorized Photos From The 1920s

The 1920s, often referred to as the “Roaring Twenties,” was a time of cultural upheaval, artistic innovation, and societal change. From the jazz-filled streets to the glittering glamour of the flapper lifestyle, this decade set the stage for modernity. The world was filled with new sounds, fashions, and ideas, as the effects of World War I slowly faded and a new era of prosperity emerged. While black-and-white photos from this era have long captured the essence of the time, colorized versions bring an entirely new perspective, one that breathes life into the past. These vivid images make the people, places, and events of the 1920s feel more real, allowing us to connect with history in a more personal and intimate way. Through the lens of color, the vibrancy and energy of this decade shine through, offering a richer and more immersive glimpse into the past. Here are 20 colorized photos from the 1920s.

1. Jack Dempsey posing in front of a fireplace.

A black and white photo beside a colorized version depicts a man in a suit standing in a room with ornate walls. He has his right hand in his pocket and is making a fist with his left hand. A blurred poster and a hat on a cabinet are visible in the background.
officehancho

His fists are massive.

2. Greece in the ’20s.

A man in traditional attire sits on a stool, smoking a hookah. He wears a blue robe with a red lining and black boots. A group of men stand and sit behind him, wearing various hats and traditional clothing. The setting appears historic and cultural.
electrical-aspect-13

These old traditional clothes have so much character.

3. Buenos Aires, Argentina 1920.

A bustling 1930s city street scene with vintage cars, pedestrians in period attire, and buildings adorned with advertisements. An ornate, large architectural sculpture is visible on the left. Flags hang from buildings in the background.
patagoniac

This was one of the richest cities of the time.

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4. A Palestinian mother and her child, 1920.

A woman in traditional clothing holds a sleeping baby wrapped in a blue blanket. She wears a patterned red blouse, a white headscarf, and gold jewelry, smiling gently while standing against a plain backdrop. The baby rests peacefully in her arms.
minetouu

She’s pulling her head covering over her child with her teeth and it’s adorable.

5. 1920s flappers being drawn by an artist.

A person sits on a chair, dressed in black, reading a paper. Three people stand nearby in 1920s style clothing and hats, playfully gesturing and smiling. The setting is indoors with a maroon carpet and cream walls.
memorylanepr

Colorization breathes life into photos.

6. England in the ’20s colorized.

A bustling 1920s city street with vintage double-decker buses and cars. People are standing near the vehicles, and surrounding buildings feature advertisements and posters. The scene conveys a lively urban atmosphere of the era.
electrical-aspect-13

Color makes history feel weirdly relatable.

7. There’s nothing like smoking around open wounds.

A man is tattooing another man's forearm in a dimly lit room. Both are smoking cigarettes. The tattoo artist is concentrating on his work, while the client appears relaxed. Various tattoo designs are visible in the background.
userdeleted

This man is getting the classic ship tattoo.

8. Louise Brooks, 1920s.

A woman in an orange dress and gloves lounges on a gray surface, holding a cigarette holder. She wears heels and gazes upward. A fluffy dog sits beside her. The background is plain gray, adding a vintage, elegant vibe.
wilefalserepeat

That dog is photogenic.

9. Women posing in front of their house in Austria, 1920.

A vintage photo shows five people seated at a table in front of an old two-story house with vine-covered walls and shuttered windows. A bicycle leans against the house, and the scene is set in a dirt courtyard.
raxereli

They had no idea what would unfold in the following decades.

10. Carmen Mondragón, Mexican poet and artist.

A young woman with short, blonde hair and green eyes gazes directly at the camera. She is wearing a textured dark sweater and a necklace. Her expression is neutral, and the image is colorized with a soft focus.
sevillafe

I wonder how accurate the eye color is.

11. Girls braiding hair in Korea, 1920s.

Black and white and color versions of an old photo showing three girls. One girl is braiding another's long hair while a third girl, seated, looks on and gestures. They wear traditional dresses and are indoors on woven mats.
genesis916

How do people who colorize photos pick the colors for the dresses?

12. Farming has always been the same, hard work.

Four men stand around two horses pulling a cart laden with hay in a grassy field. The sky is partly cloudy, and rocky hills are visible in the background. The cart has red wheels, adding a vibrant accent to the pastoral scene.
electrical-aspect-13

I wonder what the officer wants with them.

13. Crescent Beach, 1920s.

People relax on a sunny beach by a calm lake. Some swim while others sit on a dock or watch boats. A tent is set up on the sand, and a few folks stand near the shore, enjoying a lively, crowded day at the beach.
brophy87

Why have I never thought of bringing a tent to the beach?

14. Colorized George Melies, in the 1920s.

Elderly man with a gray beard and mustache, wearing a dark bowler hat and coat, and a white collared shirt with a tie. His expression is calm, and he gazes slightly upward. The background is softly blurred.
pejae

It seems like they forgot the beard and mouth.

15. Romanian women gathering around a well.

A group of women in traditional Eastern European attire gather barefoot around a wooden well. They wear embroidered blouses and striped skirts, with some holding jugs. The scene is set outdoors with trees in the background.
anhill_reloaded

Walking on rocks barefoot like that is diabolical.

16. A tattoo in Jerusalem, 1920s.

A woman sits as an older man applies henna to her hand. She wears a long-sleeved blue top and white headscarf, while he wears a red fez, brown jacket, and green pants. They are outdoors with a stone wall and greenery in the background.
omergelirtarihh

The oldest tattoo parlor in the world is in Jerusalem.

17. Alexandria day, 1928.

Two women in vintage attire stand beside a table with "Alexandra Day" posters. They wear hats and hold flowers. The posters and decorations feature colorful flowers, and a hedge is visible in the background.
electrical-aspect-13

Bring back 1920s fashion.

18. Swim class without water, 1920.

A man in a suit stands on a gray pavement, observing eight children lying on their stomachs, wearing swimsuits. The children are spaced out in an open area next to a brick wall with a few windows.
pejae

Teaching students to swim without water is a weird way to do things.

19. Rescuing baby owls, 1920s.

A man wearing a straw hat with a striped band holds three small owls in his hands. Another owl is perched on his hat. He stands outdoors with green trees in the background.
sleepauger

He just radiates “nice guy” vibes.

20. A day at the shop in Kerala, 1920.

Four shirtless men and a child stand in front of a store displaying goods such as colorful containers and baskets. One man sits on a bench, another holds an item on his head, and the child stands near the entrance. They wear traditional sarongs.
eutyphoon

I wonder what they’re selling.

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