Marble Statue of Venus de Medici

About this work

This photo shows the famous Venus de Medici statue shot in 1863–64 by Louise Laffon. Back then, the V&A was the first museum to collect and display photos. Women photographers were rare then, but Laffon’s shot became part of the museum’s early photo library. The museum used images like this to help students and artists study forms. Henry Cole, the director, believed photos could teach better than drawings alone. This work quietly highlights a woman making images that mattered. Look up the museum that still holds this photo: Victoria and Albert Museum.