Artwork

Bas-relief portion of frieze with Jupiter, Mars, Juno and Minerva in terra cotta

Bas-relief portion of frieze with Jupiter, Mars, Juno and Minerva 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. This 1863–64 photograph depicts a terra cotta bas-relief portion of a frieze featuring the Roman deities Jupiter, Mars, Juno, and Minerva.

About this work

This is a terra cotta photo relief from 1863–64. It shows Jupiter, Mars, Juno, and Minerva in a sculptural style. The piece is part of a frieze.

Photography was new enough in 1863 that the artist used old-style sculpting to make it. A museum this early collected photos to help students see art up close.

Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to learn more.

Overview

This 1863–64 photograph depicts a terra cotta bas-relief portion of a frieze featuring the Roman deities Jupiter, Mars, Juno, and Minerva. The work showcases a sculptural style adapted for photographic capture.

Subject & Meaning

The subject matter revolves around key figures from Roman mythology and religion: Jupiter (king of the gods), Mars (god of war), Juno (queen of the gods), and Minerva (goddess of wisdom). Their depiction in a frieze format suggests a narrative or thematic grouping, though the specific context or story is not immediately clear from this fragment.

Technique & Style

Given photography's relative novelty in the 1860s, the bas-relief was likely crafted with traditional sculpting techniques to ensure clarity in the photographic translation. The sculptural style, while not specified in detail, would have been chosen for its reproducibility in both medium (terra cotta) and image (photograph).

History & Provenance

Photographed by Louise Laffon as part of her series on the Campana Collection in Paris, this work was acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1864, alongside 499 other photographs from Laffon, facilitated by agent Monsieur E. Cappe.

Context

The acquisition reflects the V&A's pioneering approach to photography as an educational tool. Under Director Henry Cole, the museum leveraged photography to provide accessible visual resources for artists, students, and staff, 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.