NADAR, GASPARD-FÉLIX TOURNACHON, DIT. (1820-1910). - Lot 5

NADAR, GASPARD-FÉLIX TOURNACHON, DIT. (1820-1910). VICTOR HUGO, on his deathbed. 1885. Period photoglyphic print, mounted on cardboard, with black framing, inscribed: "February 26, 1802 / Victor Hugo (cliché of his signature) / May 22, 1885". Signature stamp on back by Paul NADAR (1856-1939) of the Nadar studio, 48 rue Bassano, Paris, opened in 1924. Image size. 19.6 x 25 cm. Mounting size. 30.7 x 38 cm. Condition report. Excellent condition of print and mount (however, the corners of the mount are dulled). Provenance: Descendants of Richard Lesclide (1825-1892) writer, pressman, friend and volunteer secretary to Victor Hugo. "Victor Hugo dead was photographed by my father by daylight and lamps only. Yes, thanks to Paul Meurice, my father had obtained permission to open the shutters of the window overlooking the garden. A beautiful spring morning. It was the sun that lit it up for the last time... And this photograph, taken by my father in tears, is perhaps his masterpiece. "LES NADAR, une légende photographique", BnF éditions 2018. Reproduction of Paul's photograph and text, page 177.