A genre photograph by Jacques Henri Alfred Odart de Parigny, an early amateur photographer.
It is photographed near the Château de Maunaie, Maine-et-Loire. Probably in the castle garden.
Both men wear typical 19th century French work clothes. The man on the left is sitting on a wooden wheelbarrow and wearing clogs. He is holding something in his hand. Maybe a flower bulb or a potato? The man on the right is leaning on a shovel with a hat in his hand. There is another wooden wheel between the bushes at the left of the image.

Despite the posing, the photo still has a casual atmosphere and beautiful composition. The print has a nice primitive atmosphere. Albumen print from a collodion glass negative. Some original retouching visible. One small discoloration above the man on the left.

Text under the image in pencil: "1861 - Le Guédeniau - Etude"

Photo ca. 19,9 x 14,2 cm
Mount ca. 29,9 x 22 cm

Provenance: Odart de Parigny family