The Madame B Album c. 1870s

"The Madame B Album" (c. 1870s) by Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier (1831-1906) is an album of 18 individual photographs of unidentified individuals arranged in a grid-like pattern. Each photograph is framed with hand-painted ornate details on a background of wood and brown paper. The album is currently part of The Art Institute of Chicago's collection and stands as a unique example of 19th-century portraiture and album art. The album, with its delicate decorative details, offers a glimpse into the artistic sensibilities of the era and the personal stories of its subjects.