The Madame B Album c. 1870s

"The Madame B Album" is a photographic album created by Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier in the 1870s. The album features a collection of photographs of Fournier's family and friends, with each image meticulously placed within a decorative framework of hand-painted flowers. This album, now part of the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, is a beautiful example of 19th-century photographic artistry and the personal expression of a talented photographer. Fournier's work reflects the increasing popularity of photography as a medium for documenting family life and personal connections during this period.