Untitled 1857

This 1857 photograph, “Untitled”, by Gustave Le Gray, depicts a vast, open landscape. The photograph, featuring a long, flat horizon, is characteristic of Le Gray's innovative use of the wet collodion process. The image is almost entirely composed of a desolate, grassy plain, with a thin line of figures barely visible in the distance. This minimalist approach highlights Le Gray's mastery of light and composition, which were crucial elements in his exploration of landscape photography. The photo, now in the Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to Le Gray's significant contribution to the development of the medium.