Portret van Claire Cibiel c. 1860 - 1865

This photograph of Claire Cibiel was produced by Disdéri & Co., likely in France during the mid-19th century. André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri was a hugely influential figure in the history of photography, and this small portrait gives us insight into the social and institutional context in which photography developed as both an art form and a commercial enterprise. Disdéri patented a method for producing multiple images on a single plate, leading to the rise of the carte de visite - small, inexpensive portraits like this one that became wildly popular. These cards democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider segment of the middle class. The studio’s branding, the subject’s dress and pose, and the very circulation of these images were carefully managed to create a specific impression of status and taste. Understanding the context of this image requires looking into photographic history, the rise of mass media, and the changing social norms around representation and identity in 19th-century France. Ultimately, this portrait serves as a reminder that art is always shaped by the social conditions in which it is made and viewed.