The Jetty at Sète 1857

"The Jetty at Sète" is a 1857 calotype photograph by Gustave Le Gray, a prominent figure in the early development of photography. The image captures the serene beauty of a harbor in Sète, France, showcasing the details of the long jetty extending into the water. The photograph’s clarity and composition highlight Le Gray’s mastery of the calotype process, a technique that involved paper negatives and was crucial in capturing the nuances of light and shadow. The photograph, now residing at The Art Institute of Chicago, offers a glimpse into the maritime life of Sète during the mid-19th century.