Le petit Russe 1860s

"Le petit Russe" is a carte de visite photograph by French photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson, taken in the 1860s. The image shows a young boy, dressed in a formal suit, seated with a serious expression. His hair is styled in a fashionable way, with tight curls on the sides. The image is a typical example of the portraiture style of the 19th century, focusing on capturing the sitter's likeness with precise detail and capturing a sense of formality. The small size of the carte de visite format made it ideal for exchanging personal portraits and capturing the likeness of individuals in an accessible way. Today, this photograph is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, serving as a glimpse into the fashion and social customs of the time.