Famous photographer Marc Ferrez takes a photograph 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.
• 18 cm x 24.5 cm.
• Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, ~ 1880.
• Yellowed paper, good condition of conservation.
• Unique piece.

Marc Ferrez (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 contextualized ideal in 1865, when he opened, in an improved form, the “Casa Marc Ferrez & Cia” in his hometown. He married the Frenchwoman Marie Lefebvre in 1873, the year in which his studio was destroyed by a 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 starring in several works that absorbed the environment.

The Tijuca Forest was his inspiration for the creation of several works. In 1861, Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, created a program to recover the area, which had been deforested to make charcoal. The construction of this project, which lasted about 13 years, relied on the help of 100,000 slaves. Today, the Forest is one of the main tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro, a lush space with diverse plants, giant trees and waterfalls, an important place for the locals. It also regulates the climate of the Marvelous City.

This photo, called “Tijuca La Floresta,” signed by Marc Ferrez, is a rare piece of work. It was produced and titled on a plate, printed on albumen paper. The figure of the man, who gazes statically, seems ecstatic with that skyscraper amidst light and shadows. It is impossible to imagine that it is anyone other than Marc Ferrez, in love with what his eyes see. The impression is that he feels like an antithesis before the gigantic unfolding that empowers that moment.

Marc Ferrez's original photographs are highly sought after, especially by collectors from Rio de Janeiro and abroad who visit. The unusual subject matter, large format and excellent state of conservation make this piece stand out.