Marmeren beeld van een vrouw in toga met in haar handen een papier en een pen. c. 1878 - 1881

Louis-Emile Durandelle created this albumen print depicting a marble sculpture of a woman in a toga, holding a paper and pen. The composition is dominated by the statue’s vertical presence. Its pale form contrasts against a darker background, emphasizing the texture of the marble and the intricate folds of the toga. The woman’s contrapposto stance and the delicate gesture of her hand holding the pen introduce a dynamic tension. Durandelle’s photograph isn't merely a record. It highlights the cultural codings of classical antiquity. The statue, with its classical drapery and poised demeanor, embodies a set of aesthetic and intellectual values associated with ancient Greece and Rome. It invites viewers to consider the interplay between artistic representation and cultural ideals. The interplay between the photographic medium and the sculptural subject raises questions about representation, reality, and the construction of cultural meaning.