Open full image Pin

Bas-relief of the Temple of Hercules in terra cotta

Louise Laffon

1864

photographic

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Mythology

Dominant colour

Bas-relief of the Temple of Hercules in terra cotta is a 1864 photographic by Louise Laffon, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Louise Laffon
When & what style?: 1864 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This is a photo from 1863–64 of a terra cotta bas-relief on the Temple of Hercules. Louise Laffon made it while French photography was new. It shows early use of photos to study ancient art. The Victoria and Albert Museum started collecting photos in 1852. They used them to help artists and students learn. This piece was nearly forgotten until now. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum next.

The story of this work

Overview

The Victoria and Albert Museum holds a terra cotta bas-relief of the Temple of Hercules, photographed by Louise Laffon in 1864 as part of a series documenting sculptures from the Campana Collection at the Musée Napoléon III. The image was produced as an albumen print and purchased by the museum in four separate acquisitions, totaling 500 prints. Laffon’s photographs were distributed with gilded mounts bearing the gender-neutral signature "L. Laffon" and her studio name, "Photographie Lord Byron." The series included representations of marble, terracotta, and bronze works from the collection.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

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.

See the richer artist page