The Madame B Album c. 1870s

Here is a photographic album made by Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier. It shows posed portraits of the sitter, arranged in a semi-circle and framed by a painted blue ribbon. The arrangement of images in a semi-circle is an interesting motif. Throughout history, the semi-circle has appeared in many contexts, each time imbued with a mix of cultural and psychological significance. The shape is reminiscent of halos in religious iconography and the placement of figures in classical compositions. The semi-circle or arc evokes feelings of protection and unity. The portraits of Madame B could be seen as a chorus of figures. The gaze of the women looking out to the viewer in subtle variations are echoes of the Renaissance and Classical periods. Fournier invites us to contemplate how the semi-circle has evolved, from sacred art to the intimate sphere of a personal album.