Bal 1860s

"Bal," a photograph by Pierre-Louis Pierson, depicts a woman in a formal gown, likely a ball gown, standing in a room with a chair in the background. Pierson, a French photographer known for his portraiture, captured this image in the 1860s. The photograph, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the artistry of early photography and the refined fashion of the era. The composition and lighting highlight the subject’s elegance, offering a glimpse into the social customs of 19th-century France.