Portret van Charles Floquet, Frans politicus c. 1890 - 1900

This is a portrait of Charles Floquet, a French politician, captured by Nadar, the pseudonym of Parisian photographer Gaspard-Félix Tournachon. Nadar was more than a photographer; he was a caricaturist, journalist, novelist, and balloonist. He was a key figure in the cultural and political life of Paris. Nadar's portraits offer insight into the identities of his subjects and the cultural values of the time. Floquet, known for his republicanism and role in French politics, embodies the aspirations and tensions of a nation undergoing significant change. What does it mean to capture a person's essence through photography? Nadar's work invites us to consider how photography can reflect and shape our understanding of identity, power, and the human condition.