Artwork Page for Matra Reinhard

Details / Information for Matra Reinhard

Matra Reinhard

1868

Jacques-Philippe Potteau

(French, 1807–1876)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
albumen print from wet collodion negative
Measurements
Image: 17.2 x 12.3 cm (6 3/4 x 4 13/16 in.); Mounted: 37.5 x 28.2 cm (14 3/4 x 11 1/8 in.); Matted: 45.7 x 35.6 cm (18 x 14 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1999.114
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

These striking portraits of working-class girls were made as ethnographic or artistic studies of types. Potteau’s photograph was part of an anthropological series the naturalist produced for the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. Employing the standard commercial portrait studio conventions of the time, he carefully posed his subject in an even light. However, instead of a painted backdrop, Potteau used a plain background as if shooting a scientific specimen. On the mount he recorded her biographical data: her name, that she was born in Paris to parents from Bohemia five years ago, and that she stands three and a half feet tall.
A vertically oriented albumen print depicts a young girl with dark, curly hair seated on an ornate wooden chair. Facing forward with a serious expression, her arms are crossed over her vertically striped jumper. The print, featuring clipped corners, is positioned above cursive handwriting identifying her as Matza Reinhard. Soft sepia tones highlight the girl's features, the fabric's pattern, and the chair's decorative carvings.

Matra Reinhard

1868

Jacques-Philippe Potteau

(French, 1807–1876)
France, 19th century

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