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Three masques of gorgons in terra cotta

Louise Laffon

1864

photographic

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Three masques of gorgons 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 took photos of three gorgon masks in terra cotta around 1863-64. Made right as photography was getting popular, this image shows how early photographers mixed art and science. The Victoria and Albert Museum started collecting photos in 1852 and even displayed them six years later. Henry Cole saw photos as a way for artists and students to learn. Look up the artist next.

The story of this work

Overview

In 1864, the Victoria and Albert Museum acquired 500 albumen prints by Louise Laffon, including this terra cotta gorgon mask series, documenting objects from the Campana Collection at the Musée Napoléon III (now the Louvre). Laffon’s photographs were commissioned to expand visual resources for artists and students, with her work purchased through the Parisian agent Monsieur E. Cappe. The prints feature gilded mounts bearing the gender-neutral signature "L. Laffon" and her studio name, "Photographie Lord Byron," reflecting her practice of concealing her identity. These images originally formed…

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