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Bas-relief of two figures of Neptune in terra cotta

Louise Laffon

1864

photographic

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Bas-relief of two figures of Neptune 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

Louise Laffon made a terra cotta bas-relief of two Neptune figures in 1863–64. It’s a photograph, not a clay carving, even though it looks like one. The piece fits between Impressionism and Realism, two styles that were mixing at the time. It’s held at the Victoria and Albert Museum. This museum started collecting photographs back in 1852—way ahead of most places. Henry Cole, its first director, believed photos could help artists learn faster. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum next.

The story of this work

Overview

A terra cotta bas-relief depicting two figures of Neptune was created by the photographer Louise Laffon in 1864. The work is one of 500 albumen prints purchased by the Victoria and Albert Museum from Laffon, documenting objects from the Campana Collection at the Musée Napoléon III in Paris. The prints were intended for educational use by artists and students, supplementing the museum's visual resources. Laffon's photographs were mounted with a gender-neutral stamp, reflecting her practice of concealing her identity as a female photographer.

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