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Portrait of Edmond Cottinet (1824-1895), c. 1848-50. Creator: Gustave Le Gray (French, 1820-1884)
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Portrait of Edmond Cottinet (1824-1895), c. 1848-50. Creator: Gustave Le Gray (French, 1820-1884)
Portrait of Edmond Cottinet (1824-1895), c. 1848-50. A painter by trade, Le Gray took up photography in 1847 and became a master of light-filled landscapes and seascapes. His early portraits depict his social circle of artists and writers, including his friend and neighbor the playwright Cottinet. He is portrayed here as if in a reverie, perhaps composing a new play in his head. This effect is partly created by the low shooting angle and isolation of the subject in a corner between two bare walls, a rare and casual approach for the time. Posing subjects this way would become a standard ploy for the famed 20th-century photographer Irving Penn, although it is highly unlikely he ever saw this work
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Media ID 19638657
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This photo print, titled "Portrait of Edmond Cottinet (1824-1895)", captures the essence of French painter Gustave Le Gray's early photographic work. Known for his mastery of light-filled landscapes and seascapes, Le Gray ventured into photography in 1847 and quickly established himself as a skilled artist behind the lens. In this particular portrait, Le Gray presents his friend and neighbor, playwright Edmond Cottinet, with an air of introspection. The low shooting angle and the subject's isolation between two bare walls create a sense of solitude and contemplation. It is as if Cottinet is lost in thought, perhaps composing a new play within the depths of his mind. Le Gray's innovative approach to posing subjects became influential in later years. Notably, renowned photographer Irving Penn would adopt similar techniques in his own works during the 20th century. However, it is highly unlikely that Penn ever had the opportunity to see this particular photograph by Le Gray. Preserved through time on a salted paper print from a paper negative, this piece now resides at The Cleveland Museum of Art. Its historical significance lies not only in its artistic merit but also as a testament to Le Gray's transition from painting to photography during the mid-19th century. This Heritage Art/Heritage Images print allows viewers to appreciate both Le Gray's talent as well as gain insight into the social circle he was part of - one filled with artists and writers who shaped France's cultural
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