[Constant Troyon] 1860s

Etienne Carjat created this albumen silver print, a portrait of Constant Troyon, sometime in the 19th century. The sepia tones lend the image a certain formality, focusing our attention on the textured details of Troyon's beard and the soft gradation of light across his coat. The composition divides the space into distinct zones: the lighter background emphasizing the play of light, and the darker foreground solidifying Troyon's presence. Carjat’s choice to use the photographic medium invites a discussion around indexicality—the photograph as a direct trace of reality. Structurally, the portrait adheres to conventional representations of bourgeois men, yet its material specificity—the subtle imperfections and aging of the print—opens a space to reflect on photography's role in constructing and preserving memory. While seemingly straightforward, the artwork's formal elements prompt us to question the layers of representation.