Rosalie D’Hérin Seris (1871–1956)

The exhibition, hosted in the evocative Church of St Lawrence by Aostais curated by Daria Jorioz and realised by Department of Cultural Activities, Exhibitions and Identity Policies as part of the initiative to promote the archives of the Regional Bureau for Ethnology and Linguistics. The public is invited to discover the little-known story of a writer who documented the History of the Aosta Valley through the portrait photography in the 1920s and was the first professional woman in this sector in the region.

The exhibition comprises a fine selection of works chosen from the seven hundred original black-and-white gelatine-bromide phototypes on glass plates that make up the Seris Fund, with the aim of retracing the significant contribution made by the photographer from the Aosta Valley to the history of photography. The twenty-nine images on display, reproduced in large format, were printed in accordance with the original by Enrico Peyrot, some using the silver salt process, others using digital technology.

Marie Rosalie D’Hérin Seris She is an unusual figure: born into a farming family in Montjovet, he learnt the art of photography from a travelling professional photographer from Piedmont and perfected his technique in Turin, before specialising in studio and outdoor portraiture at Saint-Vincent. This solo exhibition and the bilingual catalogue published by the Valdostana Printing Works celebrate his pioneering style, characterised by his skilful use of natural light and unconventional poses.