The Madame B Album c. 1870s

"The Madame B Album" is a charming, yet somewhat unusual, piece of art. It's a photograph, or possibly a daguerreotype, depicting a woman in a seated pose, framed by a decorative frame and embellished with a yellow ribbon. The work is attributed to Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier, a French artist who was known for her innovative use of photography and collage. This piece exemplifies the style of 19th-century portraiture with a dash of visual whimsy, highlighting the emerging interest in capturing intimate moments through the lens. This work is currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago.