Jardin zoologique de Bruxelles 1854 - 1856

"Jardin zoologique de Bruxelles," a calotype photograph by Louis-Pierre-Théophile Dubois de Nehaut (1799-1872) captures the serene beauty of the Brussels zoo, showcasing a pond with a small island and a backdrop of lush trees. Created between 1854 and 1856, the photograph reflects the growing popularity of zoos during the mid-19th century and the emerging artistic use of photography for documentation and landscape representation. The oval format and the detailed rendering of light and shadow, typical of calotype images, enhances the image's picturesque quality. The print is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York City.