[Pourtalès, Metternich, Grande Duchesse de Mecklemboury, and Unknown Sitter] 1855 - 1865

Pierre-Louis Pierson made these portraits of society figures sometime in the mid-19th century. They offer us a fascinating glimpse into the elite circles of the Second Empire in France. Pierson, as the official photographer to Napoleon III’s court, occupied a unique position, documenting the lavish lifestyles and social rituals of the ruling class. Looking at the image, we see the visual codes of wealth and status carefully constructed through details of dress, pose, and setting. The sitters—members of the aristocracy—are presented in ways that reinforce their social positions. The fact that photography at this time was becoming more accessible raises interesting questions about the democratization of portraiture and representation, and its impact on existing social hierarchies. What did it mean to have your image captured and circulated? Who had access to this technology and what did they do with it? To understand the significance of these portraits, we can delve into the archives of the Second Empire, looking at fashion plates, social registers, and other visual and textual materials. These can tell us more about the individuals depicted and the world they inhabited.