Portrait of La Fontaine c. 1854 - 1860

Editor: This is Nadar's gelatin-silver print, "Portrait of La Fontaine," taken sometime in the 1850s. There's something both grand and intimate about it. I'm struck by how the fur collar seems to envelop him. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, Nadar. He really captured the essence of a person, didn't he? Look at those eyes - full of intelligence, but also perhaps a touch of weariness. It's more than just a portrait; it's a study of a soul. What do you think the fur suggests about La Fontaine's character or status? Editor: Maybe it's a symbol of wealth or maybe it is just to keep warm! Although, the slightly rumpled quality gives a sense of lived-in comfort rather than ostentatious display. Do you think Nadar was making a statement by portraying him this way? Curator: Nadar was quite the rebel! Photography, at the time, was trying to prove itself as an art form. I suspect he was indeed making a statement. Perhaps he was gently poking fun at the conventions of portraiture or hinting that even a celebrated author can be a bit dishevelled. It makes you wonder what their conversation was like. Editor: It really does. And seeing it as a gelatin-silver print… it has an amazing quality, and brings the artwork into the modern era. I hadn't considered the element of satire. It’s added another layer for me. Curator: Precisely! Nadar's photos, especially his portraits, reveal such deep insight into a person's very humanity. Thinking of him capturing the fleeting moment gives a lovely, rather sad note to this print. Editor: Absolutely. It gives one pause! Thanks for sharing!