The Madame B Album c. 1870s

Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier made "The Madame B Album" using graphite and watercolor on paper. At first glance, it looks like a piece of jewelry, but this delicate rendering is actually a paper representation of one. The strand of the necklace has a rope-like texture, with watercolor washes adding dimension and shadow. Dangling from the rope are a series of miniature portrait photographs, each framed with a unique embellishment. These frames appear to be carefully drawn and painted, suggesting an almost artisanal approach to image-making. There is a sense of intimacy, contrasting with the modern technology of photography. This work blurs the lines between fine art, craft, and personal memento. It shows how the rise of photography was integrated into earlier traditions of portraiture, and given unique expression through handcraft.