Mlle. Sorel, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a sepia photograph of Mlle. Sorel, part of the Actors and Actresses series made for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The image's warm monochrome palette and delicate composition draw us into the world of late 19th-century celebrity. The photograph offers more than just a portrait; it presents a carefully constructed image. Sorel's pose, the luxurious fur stole, and the elaborate hat all contribute to a narrative. The photograph flattens depth, emphasizing surface and image. This was a period where photography began influencing painting, and vice versa, each medium exploring its unique language of representation. The photograph challenged the traditional hierarchy of art, questioning the established values and categories. Consider how the photograph, originally a commercial object, now resides within the museum, blurring the boundaries between commodity and art. As you continue through the exhibition, think about how photography transformed our understanding of portraiture, representation, and the very nature of art itself.