The Madame B Album c. 1870s

This is a photographic album made by Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier, a French artist who lived in the 19th century. Its albumen prints, a popular method at the time, are made from paper coated in egg white and silver nitrate. The process involves several steps, from coating and sensitizing the paper to developing and fixing the image. Each stage demands careful control, as albumen is prone to cracking and fading. The result is a print with a distinctive sheen, subtle tones, and impressive detail that captured the likeness of Madame B’s male relatives. The tinting and collage of heraldic symbols around each portrait adds a layer of handcraft, reflecting a desire to personalize what was a relatively new industrial method. Each of these required a specific skill set, and contributed to the social meaning of the work as a celebration of family status. Looking at the album, it’s clear that the value lies not only in the final image, but also in the labor-intensive processes and the artistic choices that elevate the craft of photography to fine art.