[Empress Eugénie's Poodle] 1850s

André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri was a French photographer best known for his invention of the carte de visite portrait, a small photograph easily exchanged as a social calling card. In this 1850s photograph, Disdéri captures a Poodle sitting regally on a chair, with a blurred background. This is one of many photographs of animals taken by Disdéri, reflecting the popular interest in portraiture extending beyond humans in mid-19th-century France. The sharp focus on the dog, which is perched on a chair with its paws gracefully placed, creates an image that is both humorous and elegant.