Mlle Savel 1860

This photographic portrait of Mlle Savel, an opera dancer, was made by André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri, sometime in the mid-19th century. The image consists of eight separate photographs, arranged in a grid. Disdéri was a pioneer in the use of the carte de visite format, a small and relatively inexpensive type of photograph. By using a camera with multiple lenses, he could produce several images on a single plate. This made photography more accessible to a wider audience, as it reduced the cost per image, but it also increased the workload for the studio staff. The rise of photography in the 19th century was closely linked to industrialization and mass production. Disdéri's innovative techniques allowed him to capitalize on this trend, turning portraiture into a business. So while we admire the artistry of this image, it is important to remember the labor and economic forces that made its production possible, and that the development and use of photography had a profound impact on society, influencing how we see ourselves and the world around us.