Fine studio sized sepia profile full length portrait by photographer /sculptor Adam Salamon

Original Portrait by Adam-Salomon

Rayer, Pierre François Olive (1793-1867). Sepia-toned portrait photograph of Rayer in middle age, by Antoine Samuel Adam-Salomon (1818-81). 275 x 212 mm. Paris, circa 1860. Minor damage at corners due to removal from mounting, traces of former mounting on verso.

Excellent, rare , and good-sized portrait photograph by Adam-Salomon of the dermatologist and pathologist Rayer, author of the classic Traité théorique et pratique des maladies de la peau (1826-27; G-M 3989). The photograph is typical of the work of Adam-Salomon, who originally worked as a sculptor, but

turned to portrait photography under the influence of the Munich photographer Franz Hanfstaengel. Adam-Salomon's antique poses, making much use of light and shade to give painterly effects, were inspired by Classical sculpture and painting and incorporated expensive fabrics and settings. He also favoured heavy retouching of the negatives, for which he was criticized by some contemporaries. He was, however, much admired for the imposing character of many of his portraits . . . Some of those hostile to photography, such as Lamartine, were persuaded to consider it as an art by the work of Adam-Salomon. He founded his studio in Paris in 1859, working on reproductions of works of art as well as portraits of the rich bourgeoisie, and he proposed working on a portrait gallery of European notables. He was made a member of the Société Française de Photographie in 1870 and received the Légion d'honneur the same year ("Antoine-Samuel Adam-Salomon," Answers [internet reference]).

The photograph shows Rayer dressed in brocade vest and frock coat and standing in front of a classical pillar or column, with a velvet-draped table next to him on which are stacked two old books. This rare photograph was purchased in an auction that contained a few items owned by Rayer's descendants.