“Nadar elevating Photography to Art,” created by Honoré Daumier around 1862, is a lithographic print representative of the Realism art movement. The artwork, measuring 33.7 by 24.8 cm, is categorized as a caricature and is housed at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork portrays a whimsical scene where an exuberant figure, identified as Nadar, is seen capturing a photograph from a hot air balloon emblazoned with the word “Photographie Nadar.” The subject’s hat is depicted flying off, adding to the lively and spirited nature of the composition. Below, the cityscape teems with signs reading “Photographie,” suggesting the burgeoning popularity of photography. The exaggeration and satire common to caricatures are evident in the playful depiction of Nadar as he “elevates” photography, both literally and figuratively, to the level of fine art. This piece humorously comments on the evolving perception of photography during the 19th century.
