Fallen Veil: A Literary and Cultural History of the Photographic Nude in Nineteenth-Century France

In France, between 1839 and the end of the nineteenth century, millions of nude photographs of the female form were produced, influencing great authors such as Charles Baudelaire, the Goncourt brothers, and Émile Zola. This history is explored in Raisa Rexer's book, The Fallen Veil, which considers how this history continues to influence questions about art, pornography, and the relation between the two.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 12 March 2021
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Between 1839 and the end of the nineteenth century, France witnessed a remarkable surge in the production of nude photographs, encompassing a wide range of artistic, pornographic, and everything in-between. In her comprehensive work, Raisa Rexer delves into the history of these illicit and ubiquitous images, shedding light on their profound cultural and artistic impact. Through a meticulous examination of government records, legal decisions, newspaper accounts, and contemporary literature, Rexer traces the evolution of nude photographic imagery and its influence on some of the most renowned authors of the time, including Charles Baudelaire, the Goncourt brothers, and Émile Zola. By juxtaposing their work against historical records and nonfiction print sources, Rexer unveils the shifting perceptions of nude photography throughout the century.

In the early days of photography's invention, nude photographs held a central place in discussions about art and artistry. Photographers sought to elevate their medium to the status of high culture, and nude photographs played a significant role in achieving this goal. However, as production and sales of nude photographs expanded internationally and as they became more prevalent in public spaces, their proliferation began to be viewed as a social problem. By the end of the nineteenth century, the sheer volume of nude photographs had reached alarming levels, leading to concerns about morality, decency, and the impact on young minds.

The Fallen Veil: The Photographic Nude in Nineteenth-Century France is a groundbreaking work that offers the first comprehensive treatment of the photographic nude in this period. Illustrated with nearly ninety period images, the book provides a visual exploration of the changing attitudes towards nudity in nineteenth-century France. Rexer examines how the photographic nude influenced artistic movements, such as the Pre-Raphaelites and the Impressionists, and how it shaped the public's perception of beauty and sexuality. She also explores the ethical and legal considerations surrounding nude photography, including the debates over consent, censorship, and the commercialization of the female body.

Through her detailed research and engaging storytelling, Rexer demonstrates how the history of nude photography continues to influence many of the same questions we ask today about art, pornography, and the relationship between the two. The book raises important questions about the boundaries between art and pornography, the role of the female body in society, and the impact of visual media on our understanding of gender and sexuality. The Fallen Veil is a valuable contribution to the field of photography history and provides a fresh perspective on the cultural significance of nude photographs in nineteenth-century France.

Weight: 780g
Dimension: 186 x 262 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780812252866