The photograph “Henrietta Horatia Maria Feilding” was taken by William Henry Fox Talbot around the year 1845. It is one of the early examples of photography from the time when the medium was still in its infancy.
The photograph itself is a portrait in sepia tones, typical of the photographic processes of the mid-19th century. It depicts Henrietta Horatia Maria Feilding in profile. She appears to be looking down, her hair styled in a manner typical of the period, with part of it pulled back. The image captures her delicate features and a sense of serenity or contemplation. She is wearing a dark dress with a high neckline, a common fashion style of the era. Henrietta Horatia Maria Feilding is holding what seems to be a piece of paper or a small book, indicative of a moment of reading or writing taken at a quiet time. The composition focuses on her grace and the still, almost statue-like quality of her pose. The photograph’s borders are irregular, and the surface has some mottling and marks consistent with early photographic techniques and the passage of time. Overall, the image is a beautiful representation of both the subject and the early capabilities of photographic art.
