Nadar, "madame Sans-gêne," Signed, Circa 1893; Albumen Print

"Madame Sans-Gêne" Vintage albumen print, circa 1893, by Paul Nadar.

Image size: 36 x 28 cm

Cardboard Dimensions: 40 x 33 cm

This depicts a scene from the second act of the famous play “Madame Sans-Gêne,” written in 1893 by Victorien Sardou and Émile Moreau.

The lead actress, Gabrielle Réjane, a famous actress of the Belle Époque, is seated on the right wearing a light-colored dress and surrounded by her entourage.

Also featured are the actors Carles Chandé and Georges Duquesne, and the actresses Mademoiselle Verneuil and Mademoiselle Mary-Noël, among others.

This is a pivotal moment in the play, where the folksy mannerisms and outspokenness of “Madame Sans-Gëne” are pitted against the judgments and mockery of the new imperial aristocracy and the family of Napoleon I.

The Nadar Studio’s theater photographs bear witness to a major artistic transition from studio character portraits to the documentation of the grand stage designs of the Belle Époque.

At the end of the 19th century, under the direction of Paul Nadar, the studio specialized in the meticulous reconstruction of entire scenes, complete with sets and costumes, immortalizing the successes of Parisian theaters.

Paul Nadar, son of Felix Tournachon (known as Nadar), followed in his father’s footsteps, shared his studio with him, and reused his father’s pseudonym with his permission.

He was the founder of the Society of Photographic Authors and president of the Chamber of Photography.

At the end of the 19th century, under Paul Nadar’s direction, the studio specialized in the meticulous reconstruction of entire scenes with sets and costumes, immortalizing the hits of Parisian theaters.

Link to the website https://www.lavalisearlesienne.com/product-page/nadar-sign%C3%A9-circa-1