BISSON FRERES - Lot 226

BISSON FRERES Louis Auguste (1814-1876) and Auguste Rosalie (1826-1900) Gold Taranto Medals, circa 1854 Salt paper print mounted on cardboard Bisson Frères stamp on mount Dimensions: 21.8 x 17.8 cm Provenance: Former collection of the Duc de Luynes Note: Photographed by the Bisson brothers, major figures in 19th-century French photography, renowned for the exceptional quality of their prints and their contribution to the documentation of artistic and archaeological heritage. This image of gold medals from Taranto is one of a number of photographic campaigns carried out to document collections of antiquities, particularly in a scholarly and scientific context. The use of salted paper, an ancient process offering subtle tonalities, testifies to an early and meticulous production. The prestigious provenance of the former collection of the Duc de Luynes, a great patron and collector with a passion for archaeology and numismatics, considerably enhances the historical interest and value of this print. The "Bisson Frères" stamp is a decisive element of authenticity, making this photograph part of a recognized body of the studio's work.