Portret van Marguerite Ugalde by Nadar

c. 1880 - 1885

Portret van Marguerite Ugalde

Nadar's Profile Picture

Nadar

1820 - 1910

Location

Rijksmuseum

Listen to curator's interpretation

0:00
0:00

Curatorial notes

This is Nadar’s photogravure of Marguerite Ugalde, appearing on a page of *Paris-Artiste*. The photograph captures Ugalde in elaborate costume, which, paired with the adjacent page full of commercial advertisements, creates a striking contrast between the world of art and the world of commerce. This interplay highlights a tension: the commodification of art and the artistic representation of public figures. The composition positions Ugalde centrally, but her placement within the magazine spread introduces a dialogue between her artistic persona and the surrounding textual elements. The choice of photogravure adds a layer of complexity, blurring the lines between photography and printmaking. This duality mirrors the broader question of how the artwork exists both as an artistic statement and as a product within a larger media landscape. The overall effect challenges viewers to consider the multiple layers of meaning embedded within the image, urging us to confront the constructed nature of both art and identity.