Object details
Object number
ARC.007418
Creator(s)
Title
Alexandre Dumas, Père
Date
1857-1865
Medium
Albumen print on card
Language
French
Dimensions
10.4 x 6.3 cm (4 1/8 x 2 1/2 in.)
Signatures, inscriptions, and markings
Inscribed in ink (lower, recto): A. Dumas, père [the popular epithet distinguishing him from his son, "Alexandre Dumas, fils"]
Printed in ink (recto): CH. REUTLINGER, PHOT. Déposé Garanti d'après nature
Inscribed in ink (upper, verso): A. Dumas, père
Printed in ink (verso): Coat of arms with a lion, unicorn, and a crown; lists of the photographic expositions and societies
Printed ink in (verso, under coat of arms): Ch. Reutlinger/ Photographe / 21, Boulevard Montmartre, 21. / Paris
Provenance
Entered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
Commentary
This albumen print depicts Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) at the height of his fame. The prolific French author wrote many swashbuckling tales of adventure and romance, and was very popular during Isabella Stewart Gardner’s lifetime. His numerous contributions to the French literary canon made him a worthy addition to the French Authors Case, where Isabella displayed memorabilia relating to Francophone literary giants.
Bibliography
Elizabeth Anne McCauley. A.A.E. Disdéri and the Carte de Visite Portrait Photograph (New Haven, 1985).
Nina Wutrich, "Inside the French Authors Case: Alexandre Dumas," Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 19 July 2022, https://www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/inside-french-authors-case-alexandre-dumas
Gallery
Long Gallery
Case
French Authors Case
Rights and reproductions
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