Les Chiens 1860s

"Les Chiens" (The Dogs) is a black and white photograph taken in the 1860s by French photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson. The image portrays a woman in a dark dress and hat, leaning against a tree with a dog cradled in her arms. The photograph, part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, captures a melancholic mood through the woman's somber expression and the soft light. Pierson was known for his portraits and his ability to capture the quiet intimacy of everyday life, as seen in this poignant piece.