Les Chiens 1860s

This photographic print, titled "Les Chiens", was made by Pierre-Louis Pierson sometime in the late 19th century. The image is made using the process of albumen silver printing, a technique that involves coating paper with albumen from egg whites, followed by silver nitrate, to create a light-sensitive surface. This process was popular in the 19th century due to its ability to produce highly detailed images with a wide tonal range. Here, the final sepia tones speak to the artist's technical knowledge, and control of the photographic process. The tint and texture of the print, results from both the materials employed and the artist's mastery of the medium, lending an aesthetic quality that transcends mere documentation. In this way, we can begin to understand photography not just as an industrial process of image-making, but as a practiced art of crafting beautiful images.