This albumen print comes from a series made by Paul Richer (Chartres 1849 - Paris 1933). He was a French anatomist, physiologist, sculptor and anatomical artist and worked at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Richer stared using photography in the 1880's.

Together with Albert Londe he made about 400 chronophotographs of people in motion, which he reproduced in his publication "Physiologie artistique de l'homme en mouvement", 1895. They worked together in Salpêtrière.

Paul Richer made several photographs with the same model, probably an athlete.
For his publication "Anatomie artistique, ou description des formes extérieures du corps humain, au repos et dans les principaux mouvements Paris 1890", he photographed this male model in different 'moving' poses. This one was used in plate 92, fig. 2 and titled "Le bras levé verticalement." (see second image for reference only, collection BnF).

The albumen print is is good condition, some yellowing due to age. Mounted on the original cardboard.

print ca. 19,9 x 12,2 cm

Literature:
Dr. Paul Richer: Anatomie artistique. Planches / description des formes extérieures du corps humain au repos et dans les principaux mouvements (planche 92)

Philippe Comar: Figures du corps, Une leçon d'anatomie à l'école des beaux-arts, 2008 (page 268, catalogue nr. 131)

Michel Poivert: 'Variété et vérité du corps humain, L'esthétique de Paul Richer. Essay published in: L'Art du Nu au XIXe siècle, le photographe et son modèle, Hazan 1997