Portret van Jeanne Eyre 1865 - 1880

Editor: This is Anatole Pougnet's "Portrait of Jeanne Eyre," made sometime between 1865 and 1880, using albumen print photography. There's a gentle, almost melancholic quality to the subject’s gaze. What catches your eye in this work? Curator: You know, she reminds me of a porcelain doll, doesn’t she? Fragile, yet possessing this incredible strength in her stare. I’m fascinated by how these early photographs attempted to capture the essence of a person. Notice how the light delicately softens her features. Do you see the almost theatrical way she is posed? Editor: Absolutely, the lighting adds to the dreamy aesthetic, especially in her hair. Was it common for photography to lean so heavily into Romanticism at the time? Curator: That’s a perceptive question! Yes, portrait photography at this time borrowed heavily from Romantic painting. Think about the desire to capture idealized beauty, and the individual's emotional depth. Pougnet beautifully translated that onto this small photographic print, imbuing it with feeling. It's more than just a likeness; it’s a whisper of her inner self. Do you get that sense too? Editor: I do! It feels like a fleeting glimpse into a private world. Thanks, I wouldn't have considered how theatrical and painterly photography could be in those early days. Curator: Precisely! And thinking of theatre, makes you wonder what role Jeanne Eyre might be ready to play? Editor: This image definitely shows the performative nature of posing in the studio, not only for the sitter but for the photographer too!