Making of ’Draped Model (back view)’ (by Eugène Durieu and Eugène Delacroix, 1854), 2017

The story behind the photograph…

Durieu, a lawyer and early proponent of photography in France, engaged in a pioneering effort from 1853 to 1854. During this period, he created a series of photographic studies featuring both nude and costumed figures, intended to serve as models for artists. Working closely with the French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix, Durieu received assistance in posing the figures, and Delacroix later commended the resulting prints as "palpable demonstrations of the free design of nature." Despite Delacroix valuing photography for its accurate portrayal of reality, Durieu held a more nuanced perspective. He recognized that a compelling photograph wasn't solely the outcome of technical mastery but, more profoundly, a manifestation of the photographer's temperament and unique vision. In a notable article, Durieu underscored the interpretative nature of the intricate manipulations in photography. He emphasized the necessity for photographers to previsualize their results, aiming not merely for a "copy" but a genuine "picture." This particular photograph serves as a testament to Durieu's assertion. Through the refined contours of the drapery, the skillful modeling of flesh, and the poised and restrained pose, the image achieves an artistic balance that seamlessly blends Delacroix's sensuality with Ingres's classicism, presenting a composition that rivals both.