Henning with Parthenon Frieze 1843 - 1847

This is an albumen silver print made in 1843 by Hill and Adamson. The image presents a study in contrasts, both in form and texture. Henning, captured in a full-length pose, stands adjacent to a plaster cast of the Parthenon frieze. The composition is striking, juxtaposing the texture of Henning's weathered face and clothing with the smooth, matte surface of the plaster. The tonal range, typical of early photography, enhances the sculptural quality of the frieze. This juxtaposition invites semiotic interpretation: Henning, the individual, stands alongside the Parthenon frieze, a fragment of a classical ideal, creating a dialogue between the individual and the canon. The photograph's composition destabilizes fixed meanings, prompting us to consider the interplay between time, representation, and the human condition. It functions not just as a portrait but as a commentary on the nature of art and its reception.