Artwork
Frey, Julius
Frey, Julius is a print by Léon (czynny w Paryżu od 1882), fot Langlois. It dates from 2019 and is held in the collection of the Library of the Wroclaw University. The portrait is a modest bust of Julius Frey, a 19th‑century jeweler, merchant‑court judge and city councilor in Wrocław.
About this work
The man's face is calm and serious, and he's wearing a suit with a high collar, which was common during that time.
This print shows a man's bust with a neutral background.
He's looking slightly to the side.
The man's face is calm and serious, and he's wearing a suit with a high collar, which was common during that time.
This detail suggests the print was made during a formal period.
The print is made with iron and silver on paper, which gives it a unique look.
Check out the work of artist: Langlois, Léon (czynny w Paryżu od 1882), fot.
Overview
The portrait is a modest bust of Julius Frey, a 19th‑century jeweler, merchant‑court judge and city councilor in Wrocław. Rendered in iron and silver on paper, the image measures roughly 14 × 10 cm and is mounted on a slightly larger cardboard backing. The figure is shown against a neutral backdrop, his head turned slightly to the left, conveying a calm, formal demeanor.
Subject & Meaning
Julius Frey (1840‑1920) served on the Wrocław city council from 1886 to 1899, a period marked by civic development in the region. The portrait’s restrained pose and sober attire reflect his public role and the decorum expected of a municipal official in late‑19th‑century Central Europe.
Technique & Style
The work employs a mixed metal print process, combining iron and silver inks to achieve subtle tonal variations. Printed on paper and affixed to a cardboard mount, the image is bordered with gold lettering and decorative cartouches, typical of studio prints produced for official or commemorative purposes in the era.
History & Provenance
The print bears the imprint of Léon Langlois, a Paris‑based printer active from 1882, indicating that the portrait was produced in France for a German‑speaking audience. Annotations on the back reference the Salon de l’Entresol and Strasbourg, suggesting the image circulated among official circles before entering a private collection.
Context
Created during a time when Wrocław (then Breslau) was part of the German Empire, the portrait aligns with the period’s emphasis on documenting civic leaders. Such prints were often distributed to municipal archives or displayed in council chambers as visual records of elected officials.
Artist & collection
Artist
Léon (czynny w Paryżu od 1882), fot Langlois
Léon Langlois worked in Paris around 1882. His bundle spotlights Julius Frey’s early print work, showing how French studios embraced the new craft of photogravure. These prints turn photographs into ink on paper, a…
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