Bas-relief figure of a Flying Angel

The relief shows a solitary angel, rendered in low relief, with outstretched wings that suggest motion through the air. While the sculpture itself is a decorative object, the photograph captures its three‑dimensional qualities, allowing viewers to study the interplay of light and shadow on the carved surface, and to contemplate the 19th‑century fascination with celestial motifs.

Laffon employed the wet‑collodion process, standard for the period, to produce a sharp, detailed negative that faithfully reproduces the texture of stone. The composition balances the sculptural form against a neutral background, emphasizing the realism of the carving while retaining a slightly romantic atmosphere characteristic of mid‑century French photography.

In 1864 the Victoria and Albert Museum acquired 500 photographs from Laffon’s Campana series through the dealer Monsieur E. Cappe. These images entered the museum’s National Art Library collection, where they were used as reference material for artists, students, and museum staff. The photograph of the flying angel has remained in the V&A’s holdings since that purchase.

Louise Laffon was one of the few women recognized by the Société Française de la Photographie, reflecting the growing but still limited role of female photographers in the 19th century. Her work for the V&A illustrates how photography was employed as an educational and documentary tool, complementing traditional reprographic methods and expanding access to artworks across Europe.