Nadar << nah DAHR >> (1820-1910), a French photographer, was one of the most important figures in the early history of photography. Nadar’s real name was Gaspard Felix Tournachon. He is best known for his portraits, which show a realism and psychological insight that were new to photography when the pictures were taken.
Nadar also made significant technical contributions to photography. He was a pioneer in employing aerial photography for surveying and mapmaking. He is credited with taking the first aerial photograph, from a balloon in 1858. Nadar also experimented with using artificial light for his shots.
Nadar was born in Paris on April 8, 1820. Starting in 1846, he gained recognition for his caricatures, which were published in leading Parisian periodicals. A caricature is a picture that exaggerates certain features of the subject. The name Nadar comes from a French nickname he acquired because of his skill as a caricaturist. Nadar turned to photography in the mid-1850’s. His first photos included portraits of such noted French writers as Charles Baudelaire, Gerard de Nerval, Alfred de Vigny, and Theophile Gautier.
By the 1860’s, Nadar’s enormous popularity as a portrait photographer forced him to take on assistants, and he participated less in the actual taking of pictures. His studio became a meeting place for Paris thinkers. It was also the site of the first exhibition by the painters who became known as the Impressionists. Nadar also wrote essays, novels, satires (writings that poke fun at something), and memoirs (personal memories). He died on March 21, 1910.
