Young Lady by Vaillat
SOLD April 2009 |
Half plate French daguerreotype of a woman by [E.] Vaillat, Paris, taken 1854. Archivally resealed in original passe-partout mount with replaced front glass. Image stamped on the plate "Vaillat / 1854" lower right and with Vaillat studio label on reverse. Overall dimensions of mount 7 x 5.5 inches (18x14 cm).
The sitter's face and hands have been enhanced with very light hand-coloring in flesh tone.
Vaillat is the only daguerreotypist I can recall to use both a name and a date stamp to sign his work on the plate, probably after the image was taken. The resulting slanting inscription in cursive script resembles a painter's signature and date added to a canvas. In this beautiful image the signature is tastefully combined with an unusual off-center composition, intended to present the sitter's personality in a relaxed and immediate manner.
The photographer's label on reverse of the mount reads "Médaille à l'Exposition de 1849 / Daguerreotypie & Photographie / Vaillat / Palais-Royal, 44, Galerie Montpensier / Paris / On descend de Voiture rue Montpensier, 28." The back of mount is also inscribed in pen "fait 15 Mars 1854 agée de 16 ans" -- "taken March 15, 1854, aged 16 years."
