4041 - Galerie Contemporaine

Galerie Contemporaine Photographer: Gaspard-Félix Tournachon Nadar (1820–1910). George Sand. 1864. Woodburytype, printed ca. 1876, mounted on board. 23.1 x 17.1 cm (mount 29.7 x 22.5 cm). Printed below the image: “Galerie Contemporaine” and “Cliché Nadar”; titled “GEORGE SAND.” Taken during the early stages of Nadar’s friendship with Sand, this 1864 portrait is part of a series of sessions in which the novelist took a keen interest. Before one session, she wrote that Nadar would retake her portrait “until he succeeds.” Set against a plain background, the image focuses on her face and distinctive striped dress, conveying the strength and dignity for which the celebrated writer was admired. Sand subsequently made Félix and Ernestine Nadar her preferred portraitists. – Mount with scattered foxing and light soiling, more pronounced on the reverse, slight edge wear, soft corners, and a curved surface scratch in the lower right margin; print with several fine horizontal creases in the upper background, visible primarily in raking light, a few minor surface abrasions, and a small area of surface loss in the lower portion; otherwise, a strong print in good condition. Lit.: *Galerie contemporaine, littéraire, artistique*. 1st year, 2nd series, no. 37. Paris: Ludovic Baschet, 1876, n.p.