Sculptuur van Maria met kind aan de Notre-Dame, Parijs 1853

This photograph of a sculpture of Mary and child at Notre Dame in Paris was made by Charles Nègre, though we don't know exactly when. It's a direct positive print on paper. In the mid-19th century, photography wasn't just about capturing an image; it was deeply intertwined with the science and labor required to produce the final print. Nègre’s choice of the direct positive method, rather than a negative, meant that each print was unique and unrepeatable. The tones and textures visible here are influenced by the materials used to make the print, giving a unique aesthetic quality. This process was labor-intensive, requiring careful management of chemicals and precise timing during exposure. The result is not just a representation of the sculpture, but a physical artifact embedding both Nègre’s artistic vision and the chemistry of photography. The image gives us a glimpse into the technologies that would soon transform artistic practice.