Assignment R01: Information about the photographer and photograph

      Pierre- Louis Pierson was born in France (1822) where he remained and worked most of his life. He had a studio in Paris, and formed a partnership with the Mayers in 1855.  This partnership helped Pierson to become known as one of the leading society photographers, as they worked extensively with the French court and Napolean the third. Pierson used daguerreotype photography for his work.
    Pierson worked extensively with the subject of the photograph I was given: Scherzo di Follia, or Game of Madness. Countess Castiglione and Pierson did series of photographs over 60 years- photographs that she would often fall into debt over. Countess Castiglione had Pierson take photos of her to record triumphant moments for her in Parisian society, and so she could assume roles from the theatre, opera, literature and her own imagination. She used photographs as a means of self expression and self advertisement- often giving photos of herself to her lovers. These photographs become a mixture of narcissism and photography, and are now thought of by some as forerunners to self portrait photography. The Countess typically directed and planned out the photos she had Pierson take of her. The work Pierson did with the Countess has helped him to remain known in present day because the photos were unusual for their time.
    The photograph itself challenges the idea of perspective. You have the view you are given by the entire frame of the picture but as the Countess is holding up a picture frame to her eye, you as the viewer are given a new focus. Which perspective is the intention of the photograph? The photo is fairly balanced with the Countess positioned slightly to the left, but her fingers and face are pointing to the right which directs your eye in that direction, making sure you take heed of the entire frame. Her facial expression and clothing suggest that this was one of her more dramatic pieces, or having a more theatrical intent.
     My favorite part about this work is not really the work itself. I like how the Countess was so passionately invested into photography and setting up these different photos of herself. Luckily for her she had an affair with Napolean the Third and so was initially given access to the photographer Pierson while in Paris. What would have become of her if she did not have such a position in society that allowed her these opportunities?

(Most information about Pierson was found on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website)