Mlle Rousseau; Mlle Moncelet 1862

This series of photographs of Mlles Rousseau and Moncelet was created by André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri. The structure is immediately apparent: eight images, four above, four below, arranged on a single page in an album. The visual repetition draws attention to the subtle variations in the dancers’ poses. Each photograph captures a fleeting moment, yet the composition as a whole evokes the passage of time. The choice of sepia tones flattens the image, emphasizing shape. The texture of the albumen print adds depth to the tonal range. These elements create a tension between the two-dimensional surface and the illusion of movement. Each frame, each repetition, adds to the understanding of the dance. The linear sequence and the contrast of light and shadow create a dynamic interplay, suggesting that meaning is not fixed but emerges through the arrangement and juxtaposition of forms.