Slapende baby op divan c. 1855 - 1865

Anatole Pougnet created this stereoscopic image of a sleeping baby on a divan in Paris sometime during the late 19th century. During this period, photography was becoming increasingly accessible, offering new ways to capture intimate and domestic scenes. The image presents a seemingly simple portrait of innocence and vulnerability. Yet, it also reflects the socio-economic context of the time. Only affluent families could afford such elaborate furniture and, indeed, the luxury of commissioning photographic portraits of their children. This work asks us to consider the emotional undercurrents of the image. What does it mean to witness this child in such a state of repose, knowing the privileges afforded to them and the social and economic disparities of the era? The photograph gently prompts us to reflect on the intersections of innocence, class, and representation in the late 19th century.