[Carte-de-Visite Album of Prominent Personages] 1860s - 1870s

This is a photographic album of portraits by Mayer & Pierson. Two cartes-de-visite, sepia-toned and framed, are neatly arranged on a pale surface. The composition highlights contrasts in form and posture. On the left, Napoleon III stands with a confident swagger, his elaborate military attire catching the light. The sash and decorations create diagonal lines across his chest, adding dynamism to the square format. Opposite him, Empress Eugenie is seated, her voluminous dress forming a sweeping curve that dominates the space. The interplay between the rigid frame and the soft folds of her gown creates a subtle tension. These portraits, beyond their representational function, reflect the semiotic codes of power and femininity in the 19th century. The rigid structure and formal poses suggest an attempt to control and codify identity, reflecting broader cultural values and power structures. Consider how these photographs, with their careful arrangements and calculated displays, invite us to question the very nature of representation and the performance of identity.