Laure GOUIN-BRAQUEHAIS (1829-1916), attributed... - Lot 18 - Marie-Saint Germain

Laure GOUIN-BRAQUEHAIS (1829-1916), attributed to. Study of a female nude in an armchair, circa 1855-1860. Stereoscopic daguerreotype finely enhanced in color, produced on a 2/6 quadrangular plate with hammered corners, without punch, 8.5 x 17 cm. Colorized by Laure Braquehais, reassembled under the original glass, according to Serge Nazarieff. Image taken at the rue Louis-le-Grand studio. This is Antonia Gotte (1837-1885). According to Denis Pellerin, Antonia was born into modest circumstances, but her natural elegance and grace made her instantly recognizable. She soon became a professional model for artists. Antonia agreed to pose for photographers because, used to unveiling for painters, she didn't hesitate to do the same in front of their lenses. Around 1857, Antonia began working for François Antoine Lepage, who was arrested the same year. He denounced most of his models, including Antonia, who was tried and sentenced to 15 days in prison. It is not known exactly when Antonia ended her career. Le Figaro of November 15, 1867 reveals that she was hired as an actress or singer at the Théâtre de l'Athénée. Provenance: Serge Nazarieff Collection, Geneva. Bibliography: Serge Nazarieff, Maison Gouin (maquette), reproduced on page 57, catalog raisonné, no. 108, page 121. Serge Nazarieff, Early erotic photography, Taschen, 1993, reproduced in the frontispiece. Denis Pellerin, The "Dirty-footed venuses" and their photographs, Tartarin, 2023, pages 9-11. Cf: https://devisu.inha.fr/photographica/1100 14