Mikhail Bakunin 1860

Editor: This daguerreotype, taken around 1860 by Felix Nadar, is titled "Mikhail Bakunin". I am immediately drawn to the piercing gaze of the subject; there's a weightiness, a gravitas, that seems to emanate from the image. What can you tell me about the symbolism within this portrait? Curator: The immediate visual symbol I notice is the cane. It’s not merely a walking aid, but a signifier of power and authority, even aristocratic bearing. Bakunin's intense gaze confronts the viewer directly, but it's tempered by this element suggesting established power. It makes one consider his relationship to established orders as someone who promoted anarchism. Does this portrait perhaps subvert the very symbolism it displays, or does it reclaim it? Editor: That’s a compelling point. The cane feels almost contradictory given Bakunin's anarchist beliefs. He challenges the viewer with his eyes, as if defying conventions. Is that subversion you mention what makes this portrait so enduring? Curator: Enduring because the symbols create a productive tension. His clothing implies belonging to the higher social circles and yet he dedicates his life to social transformation by revolutionary means. In many cultures the beard signals maturity and wisdom – this combined with his posture projects a formidable, learned presence. Considering this, do you think Nadar successfully captured the multifaceted nature of his subject? Editor: Absolutely. Now, thinking about the combination of both implicit and explicit meaning and symbolism really clarifies the complex visual narratives that artwork such as this offer. Thank you for showing how these help enrich our understanding! Curator: My pleasure! Seeing how an artist uses symbolism in ways both in line with and contradictory to the reality adds nuance to our reading, revealing profound complexity.