Unknown Maker, British

Creating photo collages was a popular 19th-century pastime, particularly for women from the British Isles, where photography was widespread and accessible. This alpine scene boasts a hand-drawn landscape-of some considerable skill-and the witty addition of collaged photographs of people and animals. A musical group brings and element of culture to the scene, while the prevalence of several dogs suggests the artist’s affection for the animal. The combination of the apparent factuality of photography with a fictional, staged setting is uncanny as well as amusing.