Émile Angier 1876 - 1884

Curator: Antoine Samuel Adam-Salomon captured this image of Émile Augier between 1876 and 1884. The portrait is a photographic print utilizing the elegant daguerreotype process. It’s now held at The Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: He looks…contemplative. Melancholy, even. The light falls so softly; it makes him look as if he's lit from within, despite the sombre attire. The texture feels surprisingly plush for a photograph— almost velvet. Curator: Salomon was incredibly skilled at manipulating light and shadow. Daguerreotypes demanded technical mastery and rigorous working practices to control the exposure and achieve this depth. Look at the rich dark tones—the way the light articulates the textiles. He definitely exploited this effect in creating flattering images of prominent figures, like Augier, the celebrated French dramatist. Editor: It's like peering into someone’s private moment. Augier isn't looking directly at the viewer; it’s as if we've caught him unawares. I get the sense he might be ruminating over some upcoming premiere... Perhaps worrying about critics, about being understood? It’s quite an intimate portrayal, considering. Curator: Interesting that you interpret that level of intimacy! During this period photography gained significance as a means to document notable members of society and celebrate them, as evidenced by the luxurious presentation here, mounted on card stock, bearing the subject's name and photographer's details. Mass production democratized portraits. We move away from idealized portrayals towards greater realism through emerging materials and technologies, shifting production models towards accessibility for mass consumption and reflecting emerging social attitudes towards celebrity. Editor: Fair point, though that does somewhat demystify the artist's involvement. However, in those days, that "realism" had its own way of concealing too. Those sharp eyes of his--and a world of emotions, and even social complexities perhaps obscured by a suit that says "distinguished gentlemen" to every bourgeois eye… Still, there’s undeniable skill here and I for one am thankful the sitter let his defenses down a notch for the camera! Curator: Certainly, Salomon's ability to reveal glimpses of personality through a reproducible medium adds another compelling layer. A testament to the way photography helped define a new visual and social language in 19th century France. Editor: I’ll walk away wondering if he solved whatever dramatic knot he was contemplating!