Artwork
Bas-relief portion of a frieze of a female figure and foliage in terra cotta
Bas-relief portion of a frieze of a female figure and foliage 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.
About this work
This image is a small terra cotta bas-relief featuring a female figure and foliage. It was made in 1863–64 by Louise Laffon, a French photographer.
The photo was part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s early collection, the first museum to both collect and show photographs back in the 1850s.
If you like this mix of art and early photography, look up the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This 1863–64 photograph by Louise Laffon captures a small terra cotta bas-relief depicting a female figure amidst foliage. The image is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's pioneering photography collection.
Subject & Meaning
The bas-relief subject, a female figure entwined with foliage, is a common motif in decorative arts, symbolizing harmony with nature. Laffon's photograph preserves this detail for educational and artistic reference.
Technique & Style
Laffon's photography technique faithfully reproduces the texture and detail of the terra cotta relief, reflecting the era's emphasis on accurate documentation for artistic and scholarly purposes.
History & Provenance
Acquired by the V&A in 1864 through agent E. Cappe, this photograph was part of a 500-work series Laffon produced from the Campana Collection in Paris, highlighting her contribution to the museum's early photographic endeavors.
Context
Created during the V&A's formative period as the first museum to collect and exhibit photographs (1852-1858), Laffon's work supported the institution's mission to provide visual resources for artists, students, and staff.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
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