Alfred Grévin (1827-1892) c. 1876 - 1882

Curator: This is a photograph titled "Alfred Grèvin" by Chambey, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's strikingly serious, a very formal and imposing portrait. Curator: Indeed. Grèvin, a caricaturist and costume designer, is presented with careful attention to his clothing and beret. Note the visible photographic process around the oval of the image. Editor: I see a clear attempt to portray Grèvin as an intellectual figure, evidenced by the artistic cap and upward gaze. It suggests aspiration. Curator: Or perhaps it's a calculated construction, a form of advertising and identity creation for a successful artist in late 19th-century Paris. The materials suggest a certain status. Editor: I still read the image as striving for timelessness through symbol. The beret functions as a signifier of artistic genius. Curator: Perhaps a balance of both: material presentation and iconic signaling working hand in hand. Editor: Agreed. It seems we've uncovered a fascinating interplay of ambition and cultural symbolism in this portrait.