Ilja Metschnikow 

This is a portrait of the renowned Russian biologist, Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov, taken by the celebrated French photographer, Felix Nadar. Nadar was a pioneer in portraiture and aerial photography, famous for his candid and expressive style, as seen in this intimate portrayal of Mechnikov. Mechnikov, a Nobel laureate, is captured in a moment of contemplation, his intense gaze reflecting the depth of his scientific mind. The image is a powerful testament to Nadar's ability to capture the essence of his subjects through his masterful lens.