Enamelled earthenware bas-relief medallion of Saint John the Baptist

The subject, Saint John the Baptist, is a common figure in Christian art, often depicted in religious iconography. Laffon’s photograph preserves the details of the medallion, serving both as a documentary record and a testament to the original artwork’s craftsmanship.

Laffon employed photographic techniques of her time to capture the textured, enamelled surface of the earthenware medallion. The photograph’s clarity and attention to detail reflect the Victorian era’s emphasis on precision in photographic reproduction for educational and archival purposes.

Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1864 as part of a 500-piece purchase from Laffon, this photograph is one of the early examples of the museum’s commitment to collecting and exhibiting photography, initiated in 1858.

Created during a period when women in photography were rare, Laffon’s work, including this photograph, highlights her contribution to the early history of photography and the V&A’s inclusive collecting practices under Director Henry Cole.