The Madame B Album c. 1870s

"The Madame B Album" (c. 1870s) is a photograph by Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier, a French photographer known for her portraits and albumen prints. This albumen print, now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases a sculpted angel with wings outstretched, appearing to guide a woman. The sculpted figures, captured against a dark background, are framed by elaborate decorative borders, hinting at the Victorian era’s fascination with romanticism and spiritual themes. Fournier’s technical skill in capturing detail and contrast adds depth to this evocative photograph.