[Nude Before a Mirror]

Attributed to Bruno Braquehais French

Not on view

Académies, or nudes intended for use as preparatory studies for other artworks, were one of the most prolific forms of photography after the medium’s invention in 1839. Trained as a lithographer, Braquehais registered his first photographs for sale in 1854. Through the use of elaborate props, soft lighting, and poses based on classical statues, he elevated erotic imagery to the realm of the artistic, as defined by watchful state censors. Despite the provocative nature of this photograph, it would have been deemed acceptable due to its overt references to the established visual tradition of women at their toilettes.

[Nude Before a Mirror], Attributed to Bruno Braquehais (French, 1823–1875), Albumen silver print from glass negative

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.