Philippe Fortuné Durand, Oullins, The Gymnasium C.1861 Vintage Albumen Photograph

Vintage albumen print signed and dated 1861. Oullins, Le Gymnase, around a hundred gymnasts pose, hat in hand, while performing acrobatic figures. We can see human pyramids, wrestlers, tightrope walkers... and on the balcony a crowd admires the spectacle. It is an exceptional composition considering the exposure time required and the number of people photographed. Philippe-Fortuné Durand (1798–1876) is considered one of the first professional French daguerreotypists. He settled in Lyon where he opened a photography studio in 1840, making him one of the pioneers of photography in France. - Under mat 40x50cm - Image format 16.7 x 22.2 cm - Cardboard format 23.5 x 32 cm link on the site https://www.lavalisearlesienne.com/product-page/philippe-fortun%C3%A9-durand-oulins-le-gymnase-c-1861