Le noeud de dentelle. "Ritrosetta" 1860s

Pierre-Louis Pierson made this albumen silver print, entitled 'Le noeud de dentelle. "Ritrosetta"', some time in the mid-19th century in France. The image presents a woman adorned in an elaborate dress, complete with lace and a fan. It encapsulates the opulent fashion of the era, reflecting the values and aspirations of the French Second Empire. Pierson was known for his portraits of elite society figures, particularly those associated with the imperial court. This photographic print creates meaning through its detailed depiction of aristocratic fashion, presenting an ideal of beauty and status. France in the mid-19th century was a society sharply divided by class, and photography played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of social status. As historians, we look to sources such as fashion plates, social commentaries, and institutional records to better understand the ways in which this photograph both reflected and helped construct the social norms of its time. This image serves as a reminder that art is deeply intertwined with the social and institutional contexts in which it is created and consumed.