The Maid of Athens (May Prinsep) 1866

Julia Margaret Cameron's 1866 photograph "The Maid of Athens (May Prinsep)" features a close-up portrait of the sitter, May Prinsep, in a head-and-shoulders composition. Cameron is known for her dramatic use of light and shadow and her focus on capturing the sitter's emotions. Prinsep's melancholic gaze and the soft, diffused light creates a sense of intimacy and mystery. Cameron's distinctive style, often referred to as "Pre-Raphaelite" photography, was characterized by its soft focus and romantic subject matter, influenced by the aesthetic movement of the time. This particular portrait is considered a masterpiece of the genre. The photograph is currently held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.