Empress Eugénie 1860

This 1860 photograph of Empress Eugénie by Olympe Aguado de las Marismas is a striking example of portraiture from the mid-19th century. Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III, is captured in a formal pose, her gaze directed slightly down, her hand resting on her chin. The composition is simple but elegant, with the Empress's figure dominating the space. The image is rich in detail, particularly in the folds of her dress and the textures of the surrounding fabric. This work, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, offers a glimpse into the refined aesthetic of the Second French Empire.