Scène d’Octobre: La jeune poitrinaire (An October Scene: The Young Consumptive), from "Le Journal Illustré" no. 34 1864

Henry Peach Robinson's "Scène d'Octobre: La jeune poitrinaire" (An October Scene: The Young Consumptive) is a poignant photomontage from 1864, depicting a young woman lying in bed, surrounded by her family. The use of multiple negatives to create the composite image reflects the artistic techniques of the time. The melancholic atmosphere of the scene, emphasized by the somber lighting, suggests a sense of loss and grief, hinting at the young woman’s possible death from consumption, a disease prevalent in the 19th century. This powerful image evokes the themes of mortality and the fragility of life, making it a compelling piece of Victorian art.