[Claudet Family Group, Chateau de la Roche, Amboise] 1856

Francis George Claudet made this photograph of his family at the Chateau de la Roche in Amboise using the Calotype process. The image gives us insight into the social conventions of bourgeois life in mid-19th century France. Note the carefully arranged poses, dress and surrounding architecture. These visual codes signify status and wealth. The composition evokes classical portraiture, but it is also distinctly modern in its casual, outdoor setting. Claudet came from a family of artists and inventors and the Chateau was a popular spot for artists and intellectuals. Photography during this period was rapidly evolving, and images like this one offer a glimpse into the intersection of family life, artistic practice, and technological innovation. To better understand images like this, we can consider the history of photography, the Claudet family archives, and accounts of French social life at the time. The meaning of this family photograph is contingent on these social and institutional contexts.