Trained as a painter, Frenet created a small group of photographs that are unprecedented in the early history of the medium for their intimacy and animation. For this portrait, he arranged the sitters to suggest a triangular shape, providing the composition with stability and solidity. He did not surround his subjects with columns, drapery, or other accessories that were often present in portraits of the day. Instead, these simply dressed sitters were placed against a plain backdrop in a natural setting where he could concentrate on capturing their personalities. Frenet's skillful use of natural light drew attention to his subjects' faces and hands. This beautifully printed portrait is a rare example of the artist's early, experimental approach to photography before he opened a commercial studio around 1860.
Mother with Two Children
