Mlle Troisvalets 1863

This photographic print, "Mlle Troisvalets," was created by André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri in the 19th century and is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The visual structure presents a series of poses from a ballerina, resembling a motion study. Disdéri has fragmented the ballerina's form into multiple, discrete images, challenging the singular, fixed representation of the body. The composition invites a reading of temporality, where each frame captures a fleeting moment in a sequence. The multiple images can be viewed through the lens of structuralism, suggesting an underlying system of movement and representation. The sepia tones and the soft focus further abstract the figure, turning her into a signifier of dance rather than a portrait. The overall structure deconstructs traditional portraiture, transforming the photographic medium into a tool for exploring time, space, and movement. This challenges viewers to assemble their own narrative, emphasizing the active role of the spectator in constructing meaning.