Bas-relief of two sea genies in terra cotta

The photograph is a black‑and‑white glass plate negative, typical of the era’s studio practice. The image captures fine surface detail and the subtle play of light across the relief’s contours, allowing viewers to study the work’s texture and carving technique without direct access to the original object.

The picture was taken as part of the V&A’s pioneering photographic collection, which began in 1852 when the museum, then the South Kensington Museum, started acquiring photographs. In 1864 the museum purchased a series of images from French photographer Louise Laffon, who documented objects from the Campana Collection; this bas‑relief photograph is among those acquisitions.

During the mid‑1800s the museum’s director, Henry Cole, promoted photography as a means to broaden the visual resources available to artists, students, and curators. Photographs like this one supplemented traditional reproductions, supporting the museum’s educational mission and serving as reference material for scholarly work.

The inclusion of this photograph in the V&A’s archives underscores the early role of women photographers, such as Laffon, in shaping museum documentation practices. Their contributions helped establish photography as a vital medium for recording and disseminating knowledge of decorative arts.