Artwork

Bas-relief portion of a frieze of scrollwork with masks in terra cotta

Bas-relief portion of a frieze of scrollwork with masks 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

Overview

This photograph is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, showcasing a bas-relief frieze fragment featuring scrollwork and masks in terra cotta.

History & Provenance

The V&A, founded as the South Kensington Museum in 1852, was a pioneer in collecting and exhibiting photographs. It acquired 500 photographs by Louise Laffon in 1864, part of a series documenting the Campana Collection in the Musée Napoléon III, Paris.

Context

The museum's early adoption of photography was driven by its founding Director, Henry Cole, who saw its potential for educational purposes. Female photographers, including Laffon and Isabel Agnes Cowper, played a significant role in the museum's photographic endeavors.

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.