Seascape, Normandy 1856 - 1857

Gustave Le Gray's "Seascape, Normandy" (1856-57) is a striking example of the artist's mastery of the calotype process, a technique that yielded rich, detailed photographs. The image captures a vast expanse of the Normandy coast, with a line of ships sailing on the horizon and a receding tide revealing a textured, rocky shore. The tonal range of the image is evocative, with subtle shifts in light and shadow creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. Le Gray's work, which is now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to the power of photography to capture the beauty and grandeur of the natural world.