Unlike earlier photograph methods, Louis Daguerre’s daguerreotypes had stunning quality and did not fade with time. Artists adopted the new technology as a new way to depict the nude form, which in practice was the feminine form. In so doing, at least initially, they tried to follow the styles and traditions of the art form.
The early history of photographic nudes reveals much about the culture of the time. Official sanction for artist’s studies provided a cover for exploring more erotic themes. This reflects the complex attitudes towards the body and sexuality in the 19th century – publicly repressed but privately curious.
The sensuality of these images also challenges the notion that photography was initially seen purely as a documentary medium. From its earliest days, photography was also a means of artistic and erotic expression, blending realism with fantasy.
