The Madame B Album c. 1870s

Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier created this artwork, "The Madame B Album" in the 19th century using paper and albumen silver print with watercolor. Here, the subject's portrait is framed by a garland of daisies, a motif steeped in symbolism. The daisy, often associated with innocence and purity, has roots in ancient traditions, linked to sun worship and, in Norse mythology, the goddess Freya. The crown atop the sitter's head speaks to authority, a motif that has appeared in countless forms across history. Consider the evolution of such emblems: from laurel wreaths of ancient heroes to the elaborate headdresses of Renaissance rulers. How symbols of power and virtue resurface, transformed yet recognizable, speaks to our collective memory. The circular arrangement of the flowers and the oval portrait, a shape that mirrors the eye, engages us on a visceral, primal level. The effect is a powerful psychological dance between the viewer and the viewed. Indeed, this piece reveals a powerful, non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols.