What movement is Bas-relief of a portion of a frieze of 'The Victors' in terra cotta?

Bas-relief of a portion of a frieze of 'The Victors' in terra cotta is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Bas-relief of a portion of a frieze of 'The Victors' in terra cotta

Bas-relief of a portion of a frieze of 'The Victors' in terra cotta is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist Louise Laffon. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1863-64 photograph captures a section of a terra cotta bas-relief titled 'The Victors', depicting a fragment of a larger frieze.

About this work

Back then, the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert) was the first to collect and show photos.

This is a photo of a terra cotta relief called *The Victors*, made in 1863-64. It shows a slice of a larger frieze. The piece fits in two movements—Impressionism and Realism.

Louise Laffon, a French photographer and sculptor, made it. Back then, the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert) was the first to collect and show photos. They used them to teach artists and students.

Want to see more early photography? Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

This 1863-64 photograph captures a section of a terra cotta bas-relief titled 'The Victors', depicting a fragment of a larger frieze. The work is attributed to Louise Laffon, a French artist with dual expertise in photography and sculpture.

Subject & Meaning

The photographed relief, 'The Victors', suggests themes of triumph and achievement through its depiction of a frieze fragment. While the broader narrative of the original frieze is not captured in this slice, the subject matter aligns with contemporary artistic explorations of human experience, bridging Impressionist and Realist movements.

Technique & Style

The photograph showcases Laffon's photographic technique in capturing the textured, low-relief details of the terra cotta original. The style of the relief itself, with its focus on everyday or heroic figures (implied by the title), reflects the Realist inclination towards representational art, while the lighting and composition in the photograph may hint at Impressionist influences.

History & Provenance

Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1864 as part of a larger purchase of 500 photographs from Laffon, this work was part of the museum's early efforts to utilize photography for educational and administrative purposes, facilitated by its pioneering collection and exhibition of photographs starting in the 1850s.

Context

Created and acquired during a period of burgeoning photographic technology and its integration into artistic and educational institutions, this photograph reflects the era's intersection of art, technology, and pedagogy. Laffon's involvement highlights the overlooked yet significant contributions of female photographers to the development of the medium.

Artist & collection

Artist

Louise Laffon

Louise Laffon (1828–1885), was a French photographer and painter. She was one of the first female professional photographers in France. She had a studio in Paris between 1859 and 1876.