Breton Nanny
SOLD October 2000 |
Quarter plate French daguerreotype ca. 1857 showing a female servant holding an infant. Resealed in original passe-partout mount and decorative black plaster frame with floral motif, overall dimensions 9 x 8 inches (23x21 cm).
A period inscription on the reverse of mount reads "Joben, our old maid servant, who served the family Grall of Pontrieux for thirty-five years, and Amand Grall, born 16 March 1856 photographed at the age of 18 months."
Pontrieux is a coastal town in Brittany located close to Brest. The maid servant Joben would appear to be clothed in local costume. There are some small abrasions and a very light indentation on the plate in backdrop area upper left, and some scratches on cover glass. A strong and attractive plate, with bright and well-handled whites. It is interesting that in this elaborately-housed composition, clearly intended to commemorate Joben as much if not more than her charge Amand, she is, simply, "Joben." No mention is made of her having a last name of her own, or (by extension) any personal history independent the family Grall.
