The Nadars, a photographic legend

The Nadars

fr

Ernestine Nadar in Sénart

Paul Nadar, around 1890

Silver print from a silver gelatin glass negative, 10.2 × 6 cm.
BnF, Prints and Photographs Department, EO-112 (2)-FOL-B BOX
© Bibliothèque nationale de France
Having suffered a stroke in 1887, a much diminished Ernestine was lovingly tended by her husband and others. In this photo, she can be seen in the doorway of their home in Sénart. This little snapshot bears witness both to the many people she was surrounded by, and to advances in instant photography, which her son, Paul, specialized in.