[La Comtesse with Group on a Rocky Beach] 1860s

“[La Comtesse with Group on a Rocky Beach]” is a salt print photograph by Pierre-Louis Pierson, a French photographer active in the mid-19th century. Taken in the 1860s, the image captures a group of figures standing on a beach, likely in a casual setting. Pierson is known for his candid portraits and genre scenes. The composition is straightforward, focusing on the figures in the foreground, with the background subtly out of focus, giving a sense of depth and realism. The use of light and shadow is expertly handled, creating a sense of atmosphere and enhancing the overall composition. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City houses this small-scale, yet impactful photographic work.