Portret van Angèle before 1875

This is Nadar's portrait of Angèle, captured using photography sometime in the mid-19th century. The sepia tones give the image a warm, nostalgic feel, focusing our attention on the subject’s attire and features. The composition emphasizes Angèle’s face and upper body, framed within a rectangular border that mimics a stage. The use of light and shadow sculpts her features, highlighting her expression. The gaze is directed slightly upwards, adding an element of aspiration or perhaps theatrical drama. Considering the semiotic elements, the floral hairpiece and ornate dress may signify ideals of beauty and performance during the period. Nadar's choice to focus on Angèle’s individual persona, rather than idealizing her, challenges the traditional portraiture conventions. The photograph, therefore, serves as both a record and a representation of shifting cultural values. Ultimately, the portrait encourages us to question how photography destabilizes established notions of identity.