Coralie, from the Actresses series (T123, Type 1), issued by Neil McCoull Co.
ca. 1897
Medium
Albumen print
Dimensions
Sheet: 2 5/16 in. × 2 in. (5.8 × 5.1 cm)
Classification
Photographs|Ephemera
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, Gift of Jefferson R. Burdick
Accession Number
63.350.246.123.3
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the late 19th century, photographic portraits like *Coralie, from the Actresses series (123, Type 1)* captured the allure of theater stars, turning them into everyday collectibles. Issued around 1897 by the Neil McCoull Co., this albumen print depicts the actress Coralie, whose poised gaze and elegant attire evoke the glamour of the era's stage performers. Measuring just 2 5/16 × 2 inches, it belongs to a popular series that celebrated women in entertainment, blending celebrity culture with ephemera designed for trading or display. The albumen printing process, using egg whites to coat pap...