Artwork

Bas-relief portion of frieze of female head and foliage ornament in terra cotta

Bas-relief portion of frieze of female head and foliage ornament 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 came at a time when the Victoria and Albert Museum began collecting photos to help artists and students.

Louise Laffon made this terra cotta bas-relief in 1863–64. It’s a photograph showing a woman’s head framed by leafy ornament. The piece is small but it shows how photography could mimic sculpture.

This came at a time when the Victoria and Albert Museum began collecting photos to help artists and students. It was part of a new push to use images as teaching tools.

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 head surrounded by foliage ornament. The image showcases photography's capacity to replicate sculptural details, aligning with the Victorian era's educational emphasis on visual resources.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a classical female head encircled by leafy motifs, typical of mid-19th-century decorative arts. The photograph's primary purpose was educational, aiming to provide artists and students with detailed, accessible representations of sculptural works.

Technique & Style

Laffon's photograph demonstrates meticulous attention to capturing the bas-relief's textures and depths, mimicking the sculptural qualities of the original terra cotta piece. The style reflects the photographic conventions of the time, prioritizing clarity and reproductive fidelity.

History & Provenance

Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1864 as part of a 500-piece purchase from Laffon, this photograph was initially cataloged within the National Art Library's collection, intended for use by professors, students, and museum staff.

Context

Created during the early years of the V&A's photography collection initiative (established in 1852), this work exemplifies the museum's pioneering effort to leverage photography as a teaching tool, supplementing traditional reprographic methods.

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.