Portrait of Ernestine Nadar, the artist's wife, wearing fur stole

c. 1880–83

Portrait of Ernestine Nadar, the artist's wife, wearing fur stole, c. 1880–83. Nadar (French, 1820–1910). Uncut sheet of three matte gelatin silver carte-de-visites; overall: 10.8 x 21.9 cm (4 1/4 x 8 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg 2021.67 This striking and unusual uncut sheet of carte-de-visite exposures was taken by one of France’s most successful early portraitist photographers, Nadar. Cartes de visites—small photographs the size of a visiting card (2.125 x 3.5 inches)—were statements of identity, meant to be seen by others. They were handed out to family, friends, and if one was a celebrity, purchased by fans. This is instead an intimate, direct exchange between sitter and camera, wife and husband. Nadar and his wife Ernestine were married for 54 years.