Menu
FREE ART CONSULTATION
PreviewPreview AR previewAR preview Switch to Print Switch to PrintSwitch to Image Switch to Image SendSend
DetailsDetails Add to favorites Add to favorites DownloadDownload SimilarsSimilars X-RayX-Ray DiaporamaDiaporama

La Frayeur

  • Creation date1861
  • Dimensions57.0 x 44.0 cm

Discover Pierre Louis Pierson: French photographer famed for his portraits & collaboration with Virginia Oldoini. Explore captivating 19th-century images.

Hand Made Oil Reproduction

Hand-painted oil on canvas in your size and frame, made to order by our artists. (Switch to Print Switch to PrintSwitch to Image Switch to Image)

Standard
custom
CM
INCH

Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.

width
height

You may enter your own dimensions to fit a specific frame or space. If your selected size does not match the original image's proportions, we will either crop the artwork or extend the painting with additional hand-painted elements. A digital mockup will be sent for your approval before production begins.
Please note that the on-screen preview does not reflect the actual cropping or extension. Only the mockup will accurately show the final composition.
While custom sizes are available, we recommend selecting a dimension from the predefined list to preserve the original proportions.

Examples of what can be changed: Replace face with customer photo; Add pet (e.g., replace cat with dog); Include hidden message in background; Change background landscape or elements.
After order, ArtsDot.com team will email client for instructions and provide a mockup preview

Worldwide Delivery () in 3/4 weeks instead of standard 5 weeks. (8 August). No compromise on quality.

why_choose_icon
Free Worldwide Express Shipping
why_choose_icon
High-Quality Linen Canvas
why_choose_icon
Full Shipping Insurance
why_choose_icon
Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
why_choose_icon
True Color Matching Guarantee
why_choose_icon
60-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
why_choose_icon
100% Money-Back Guarantee
why_choose_icon
Bulk Discount Offer

Total Price

$ 263

reproduction

La Frayeur

Reproduction Medium

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 263

Artwork Description

In 1856 Virginia Oldoini (1837-1899), Countess of Castiglione, was sent to France in order to persuade Emperor Napoleon III to champion the cause of Italian unification by any means necessary. The unrivaled beauty quickly became notorious not only as his mistress but also for her flamboyant self-presentation. Between 1856 and 1867, and then again toward the end of her life, she collaborated with the photographer Pierre-Louis Pierson to produce some 400 photographs, many of which were enlarged and painted according to her specific directions. Momentous scenes from her life (some merely imagined) were mixed with episodes drawn from the theater, opera, and literature in service of a carefully choreographed personal mythology that is a fixture of today’s selfie-saturated social media but that was unprecedented in the nineteenth century. In La Frayeur, she instructed the painter Schad to embellish her portrait in the guise of a fancifully dressed ball guest who flees a conflagration. The exact source of the scene remains unknown, but it provides the perfect setting for a precocious fashionista to envision herself as a mysterious femme fatale.

Artist Biography

early life and career

pierre louis pierson, a french photographer and portraitist, was born in hinckange, france in 1822. his life's work would take him to the center of paris, where his studio at 5, boulevard des capucines, would become a hub for capturing the essence of the era.

photographic work with virginia oldoini

pierson is notably known for his collaboration with virginia oldoini, countess of castiglione, which produced over 400 photographs between 1856 and 1867. this partnership not only showcased pierson's photographic prowess but also catapulted the countess to fame due to her unapologetic self-presentation.

notable works and legacy

some of pierson's most notable works include:
  • la frayeur (57 x 44 cm, glass), a photograph that encapsulates the essence of his collaboration with the countess.
  • other works, such as those featured in the pierre louis pierson collection on ArtsDot, demonstrate his mastery over portraiture and early photography techniques.

museums and collections

while pierson's work is not exclusively housed in a single museum, his photographs can be found in various collections around the world. for those interested in exploring more of his works or similar artists, musée national jean-jacques henner in paris, though not exclusively dedicated to pierson, offers a glimpse into the photographic landscape of 19th-century france.

conclusion

pierre louis pierson's legacy as a photographer and portraitist continues to inspire. his work with virginia oldoini remains a testament to his skill and her unbridled spirit. as we reflect on his life, from hinckange to the heart of paris, we are reminded of the enduring power of photography in capturing not just images, but moments in history. recommended reading: - pierre louis pierson's collection on ArtsDot - pierre louis pierson on wikipedia
pierre louis pierson

pierre louis pierson

1822 - 1913 , France

Quick Facts

  • Artistic Movement Or Style: Animalière painting/sculpture
  • Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Realism']
  • Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Oscar-Raymond Bonheur']
  • Date Of Birth: 16 March 1822
  • Date Of Death: 25 May 1899
  • Full Name: Rosa Bonheur
  • Nationality: French
  • Notable Artworks:
    • Ploughing in the Nivernais
    • The Horse Fair
  • Place Of Birth: Bordeaux, France
Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.