Artwork
Portrait of Ernestine Nadar, the artist's wife, wearing fur stole
Portrait of Ernestine Nadar, the artist's wife, wearing fur stole is a photography by the Impressionist artist Nadar. It dates from 1882 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of Ernestine Nadar, the artist's wife, is an uncut sheet of carte-de-visite photographs taken by Nadar, a prominent early French portrait photographer. Unlike typical cartes de visites intended for public circulation, this work appears as a personal, intimate exchange.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Ernestine Nadar, is depicted wearing a fur stole, looking directly at the viewer with dark eyes and a soft smile, conveying a sense of closeness and informality. The photograph's personal nature suggests it was meant for private, familial viewing, specifically between Ernestine and her husband, Nadar.
Technique & Style
The work consists of multiple tiny, uncut carte-de-visite exposures on a single sheet, deviating from the conventional practice of distributing individual, formal portraits. This approach, combined with the relaxed pose, distinguishes the photograph from the stiff, formal studio portraits common during the period.
History & Provenance
Taken by Nadar, one of France's most successful early portrait photographers, the exact date and original context of creation are not specified, though it aligns with the carte-de-visite phenomenon popular in 19th-century France. The piece remains within the artist's family context, emphasizing its private intent.
Context
Created amidst the popularity of cartes de visites in 19th-century France, this work subverts the typical use of such photographs as public statements of identity. Instead, it captures a quiet, personal moment, reflecting the unique relationship between the sitter and the photographer.
Legacy
While not widely circulated like Nadar's public works, this portrait contributes to the understanding of early photography's capacity for intimacy and personal expression, contrasting with the formal norms of the time. Its private nature preserves a glimpse into the personal life of a renowned photographer.
Artist & collection
Artist
French photographer who made sharp, era-defining portraits in the 1850s–70s. You’ll meet Man on a Horse from the 1860s, a sitter caught mid-gallop against Parisian skies, and the 1856 portrait of composer Gioachino…
