Félix-Jacques Antoine Moulin (French, 1802-1875) Semi-nude Woman at a Water Fountain, circa 1855 Salt print 8-1/2 x 6-3/8 inches (21.6 x 16.2 cm) 12-3/4 x 9-1/2 inches (mount) This is a studio-posed portrait of a barefoot girl as she stands by a water fountain. She looks off-camera to the object of her flirtation. Her blouse is loosened to reveal a single nude breast; a water pitcher dangles from her hand. There is a painted countryside backdrop, a faux stone well and tree, and lion-headed spout completing a scene that signified uncorrupted rural sensuality. This was part of the romantic movement's notion of the "primitive" as yet untainted by urban greed and fraud. This was a subject of interest to Moulin who went to Algeria in early March 1856 with Achille Quinet's son as his assistant and literally a ton of photographic baggage. He returned to France with about a thousand negatives, both glass plates and stereo views. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved