Félix Nadar

Born Gaspard-Félix Tournachon in Paris in 1820, he became famous under the name Nadar. Before photography made him a legend, he worked as a writer, journalist, and caricaturist, building a sharp eye for character that would later shape his portraits.

Nadar became one of the great photographers of 19th-century France. His studio photographed many of the best-known artists, writers, and performers of the era, and his portraits are still admired for their directness and psychological depth. He was also an adventurer: in 1858 he made aerial photographs from a balloon, a remarkable early step in the history of photography from the sky.

That mix of artistry and bold experimentation runs through his life. He was interested in flight, embraced new technology, and left behind a vivid picture of Parisian cultural life. Nadar died in 1910, but his name remains closely tied to the birth of modern portrait photography.