Artwork Page for Portrait of Victor Hugo on Guernsey

Details / Information for Portrait of Victor Hugo on Guernsey

Portrait of Victor Hugo on Guernsey

1862

Edmond Bacot

(French, 1814–1875)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
albumen print from wet collodion negative
Measurements
Image: 16 x 11 cm (6 5/16 x 4 5/16 in.); Mounted: 31.7 x 22.3 cm (12 1/2 x 8 3/4 in.); Paper: 18.1 x 13.2 cm (7 1/8 x 5 3/16 in.); Matted: 45.7 x 35.6 cm (18 x 14 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 2001.52
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Victor Hugo, a passionate human rights advocate, was a fierce critic of Napoleon III and the Second Empire and had to live in exile from 1851 to 1870. His novel Les Misérables (inspiration for the 1985 musical) focused on the need for social and political change. Edmond Bacot, a fan and family friend of the author, photographed him twice, the first time in 1852 and, at Hugo’s invitation, in 1862 on the island of Guernsey, the year that Les Misérables was published.
A vertically oriented albumen print with warm brown tones on cream paper depicts a man with light skin, white hair, and a full beard. Centered within an arched border, he angles his body slightly right while facing forward. He wears a dark, double-breasted coat and a small bow tie. One hand is tucked into a pocket, while the other rests on his thigh against a dark, plain background.

Portrait of Victor Hugo on Guernsey

1862

Edmond Bacot

(French, 1814–1875)
France, 19th century

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