Bas-relief portion of frieze of masque of Ammon and genii in terra cotta

The original artwork is a terra cotta bas-relief, a sculpting technique where figures project slightly from a background. The photograph, by Louise Laffon, captures this detail, reflecting mid-19th-century photographic capabilities and the artist's documentary style.

Acquired by the V&A in 1864 from Louise Laffon via agent Monsieur E. Cappe, this photograph was part of a series documenting the Campana Collection in the Musée Napoléon III, Paris. Laffon's work contributed to the V&A's early photographic collection, initially housed within the National Art Library.

The photograph reflects the V&A's pioneering use of photography for educational and administrative purposes under Director Henry Cole. It also highlights the overlooked contributions of female photographers like Laffon in the museum's early history and the global sourcing of photographic content.

This photograph, as part of the V&A's collection, has served educational and reference purposes for over a century. It remains significant for understanding 19th-century sculptural techniques, the Campana Collection, and the contributions of early female photographers in museum documentation.