Photo of the Tijuca Forest by Marc Ferrez

Famous photographer Marc Ferrez takes a picture of the Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro, perhaps one of the first selfies in history.

Original photograph of the Tijuca Forest by Marc Ferrez. 18cm x 24.5cm. Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, ~ 1880. Yellowed paper, good condition. Single piece.

Marc Ferez (1843 - 1923), one of the pioneers of photography in Brazil, was born in the city of Rio de Janeiro, where he built his professional ideals as a photographer. Versatile, plural and restless, he built his work in harmony with nature. He began his ideal contextualization in 1865, when he inaugurated, in an improved way, the “Casa Marc Ferrez & Cia” in his homeland. He was married to the French Marie Lefebvre in 1873, the year his studio was destroyed by fire. This tragedy did not inhibit his persistence in continuing his art. He went to Paris, bought new equipment and gave wings to success, contemplating the position of photographer for the Geological Commission and protagonist of several works that absorbed the environment.

The Tijuca Forest was his inspirational retreat for the elaboration of several works. In 1861, Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, created a recovery program for the area, which had been deforested to make charcoal. For the construction of this project, which lasted about 13 years, it had the help of 100,000 slaves. Nowadays, the Forest is one of the main tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro, an exuberant space of diverse plants, giant trees and waterfalls, an important place for the cariocas. It also regulates the climate of the Marvelous City.

This photo called “Tijuca La Floresta”, signed by Marc Ferrez, is a work of rare display. It was produced and titled on the plate, printed on albumen paper. The figure of the man, who contemplates ecstatically, seems ecstatic with that skyscraper in the midst of light and shadows. You can't imagine that it's anyone other than Marc Ferrez, in love with what his eyes see. The impression is that he feels like an antithesis to the gigantic unfolding that empowers that moment.

Marc Ferrez's original photographs are highly sought after, especially by carioca and foreign collectors who visit Rio de Janeiro. The unusual theme, the large format and the excellent state of conservation highlight this piece.