Gustave Doré 1883

This is Felix Nadar’s portrait of Gustave Doré, the famous French artist, engraver, illustrator and sculptor. Nadar, a pioneer of photography, made this portrait in an era defined by strict social codes. Gustave Doré, known for his dramatic and imaginative illustrations, is captured here in a moment of posed yet palpable intensity. Note the ornate chair, a prop that perhaps signifies Doré's status and leaning on it as if for support. The portrait offers a glimpse into the identity of an artist navigating the complexities of 19th-century Parisian society. Nadar’s lens captures not just an image, but a sense of Doré's inner world, his creative spirit perhaps wrestling with societal expectations. This portrait invites us to consider the emotional labor involved in crafting an identity within the confines and possibilities of the art world.