[Study of Legs]

Pierre-Louis Pierson

1861–67 · Albumen silver print from glass negative · Photographs

The countess enjoyed transgressing the standards of propriety for women of her social class. By addressing herself directly to male fantasies of the day, fixated on women's legs concealed by modesty and the demands of fashion, the countess unashamedly drew inspiration from actresses and dancers from the variety theater, who wore stockings intended to tone down the shocking indecency of such a spectacle. She commited a double transgression when she had both her legs photographed naked, without protective stockings, as only low-class prostitutes and models dared. The photograph, however, shows only the lower part of the body, thereby concealing the sitter's identity.

Artist

Pierre-Louis Pierson

Date

1861–67

Medium

Albumen silver print from glass negative

Department

Photographs

Credit line

David Hunter McAlpin Fund, 1975