The Nadars, a photographic legend

The Nadars

fr

Instant self-portraits, tests for Kodak

Paul Nadar, around 1888-1890

Silver print on cardboard backing from a Kodak flexible film negative, 13 × 11 cm.
BnF, Prints and Photographs Department, EO3 (NADAR)
© Bibliothèque nationale de France
Paul Nadar was immediately taken with the possibilities offered by the new Kodak camera. Although his purpose was to test the camera's instantaneity, the many intimate portraits he took also bear witness to a privileged, and at times even carefree, existence.