Pensive Girl by Andrieux
SOLD April 2009 |
Sixth plate daguerreotype of a young girl, by Jean Victor Andrieux, Paris, ca. 1845. Housed in its original reverse-painted gilt-and-plaster glass mount and brass-inlaid wood frame. Overall dimensions with frame 7.5 x 6.5 inches (19x17 cm). Resealed with portion of the original backing board bearing the photographer's imprint "Adrieux / Peintre en Miniature / Portraits au Daguerreotype / 2 Place du Carrousel, 2."
An interesting composition with the young lady resting against chair back as she gazes in the distance. The tonality of the daguerreotype is well-matched by the dark wood frame, which is 1840s-period and I believe the original frame as supplied by the photographer's studio.
Andrieux's imprint on reverse first describes him as a "Miniature Painter" before mentioning that he produces "Daguerreotype Portraits," thus echoing the manner in which the early daguerreotype became popular as an alternative to more laborious and costly hand-painted likenesses. And in fact, Andrieux himself may have made this transition from painting to photography as the newly-discovered process took root.
As found, clear tape was applied over part of the photographer's imprint on reverse, which has been left undisturbed. The dark, brass-inlaid frame, which would have been a step up from the less expensive pinewood frames also used during the period, has normal aging defects and moderate wear.
