Portret van Jean Berthelier c. 1880 - 1885

This is a portrait of Jean Berthelier by Nadar, a photograph published in the journal Paris-Artiste. Photography, like other reproductive technologies of the time, changed the game in terms of artistic labor. Instead of handcrafting an image, Nadar orchestrated a chemical process to create this likeness. The tonal range in the image, from the deep blacks of Berthelier’s coat to the subtle grays of his face, reveals Nadar’s mastery of the medium. Photographs like this democratized portraiture, creating a mass market for images of individuals. While portrait painting was the preserve of the wealthy, photographic prints enabled the middle classes to participate in visual culture, and to see themselves represented. Publications like "Paris-Artiste" also fueled an expanding advertising industry. Considering the materials and processes behind this image reminds us of the technological, social, and economic forces at play in its making. It challenges us to consider the photograph not just as a work of art, but also as a product of its time.