Portrait of a Young Boy

About this work

This painting shows a young boy in a stiff pose. He's placed against a plain background, with his hands visible. The boy's gaze is direct, which is interesting because it was likely due to the long exposure time needed for the photo. The long exposure time was a result of the materials used, like glass-plate negatives and albumen. This process was new at the time, and the artist was one of the first to try it in France. The technique used gives the photo a unique feel. You can learn more about this style by looking into the technique of chiaroscuro.