Portret van Armand Trousseau 1858

This is a photograph of Armand Trousseau by Nadar, part of the series "Paris-Photographe", a publication from 1863. Nadar was a pioneering figure in French photography, and this portrait reflects both his artistic skill and the social dynamics of 19th-century France. The image itself, with its formal composition and focus on the subject's face, conveys Trousseau’s status as a respected physician. In the 1860s, photography was still a relatively new medium, and portraiture was largely confined to the upper echelons of society, those who had the wealth to commission such works. Consider Nadar's studio as an institution, a commercial enterprise that both reflected and reinforced class distinctions through its clientele and modes of representation. To fully understand this image, it is crucial to examine sources such as Nadar's business records, contemporary periodicals, and social histories of the French bourgeoisie. By exploring these resources, we gain insight into the complex interplay between art, commerce, and social identity in 19th-century France.