the collector's folio

Nadar Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Nadar our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Nadar · 1820 – 1910

Alexandre Dumas père (1802-1870) (1855) by Nadar

1855 · Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · original 23 x 17 cm

Experience this intimate 19th-century portrait of Alexandre Dumas by Nadar, capturing literary genius with soft realism; own a piece of Parisian history.

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #1: Alexandre Dumas père (1802-1870)

Art Movement: 19th-century photography
Color Palette: Monochrome

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Sarah Bernhardt by Nadar

1864 · J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles · original 21 x 16 cm

Experience the captivating portrait of Sarah Bernhardt by Félix Nadar. This iconic 1864 daguerreotype captures her dramatic intensity and timeless beauty, showcasing a pivotal moment in theatrical history.

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #2: Sarah Bernhardt

Art Movement: 19th-century photography

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

[Sarah Bernhardt as the Empress Theodora in Sardou (1889) by Nadar

1889 · J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles · original 14 x 10 cm

Experience Sarah Bernhardt as the Empress Theodora by Nadar! This iconic black & white photograph captures her dramatic portrayal, showcasing artistry and historical significance. A masterpiece of early 20th-century portraiture.

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #3: [Sarah Bernhardt as the Empress Theodora in Sardou

Art Movement: Art Nouveau
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Paul and His Dog – Nadar

1865 · J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles · original 61 x 47 cm

Experience the melancholy romance of Tournachon's 1865 photograph, Paul and His Dog, capturing resilience through evocative black and white portraiture; discover this masterpiece today.

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #4: Paul and His Dog

Art Movement: Romanticism
Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$23247 × 61 cm Commission at original size

Égouts De Paris – Nadar

1861

A dramatic monochrome view into the dark, damp tunnels of the Parisian sewer system in 1861.

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #5: Égouts De Paris

Art Movement: Realism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Pierrot the Photographer by Nadar

1854 · Musée d'Orsay, Paris

A captivating vintage portrait by Félix Nadar of Pierrot the Photographer, showcasing a clown-like figure with a camera – a pioneering image capturing early photography's charm and innovation.

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #6: Pierrot the Photographer

Art Movement: Pictorialism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

portraits François Guizot

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

portraits Gioacchino Rossini

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Eugène Viollet le Duc

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Claude Debussy by Nadar, 1908

1908

A vintage portrait of composer Claude Debussy by Félix Nadar, capturing his contemplative expression and artistic intensity from 1908. A classic early photographic study.

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #10: Claude Debussy

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Gustave Doré by Nadar, 1855

1855

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #11: Gustave Doré

Art Movement: Pictorialism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Charles Baudelaire (1855) by Nadar

1855

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #12: Charles Baudelaire

Art Movement: Pictorialism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Nadar: Alexander Dumas Père

1855

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #13: Alexander Dumas Père

Art Movement: Pictorialism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Nadar: Honoré Daumier

1855

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #14: Honoré Daumier

Art Movement: Pictorialism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1855) by Nadar

1855

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #15: Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

Art Movement: Pictorialism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Félix Nadar by Nadar, 1854

1854

Explore a striking 1854 daguerreotype portrait by Félix Nadar, a pioneer of photography. Admire the formal composition & soft lighting of this classic studio piece.

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #16: Félix Nadar

Art Movement: Contemporary Realism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17734 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Nadar, Pierrot pleading (1854)

1854

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #17: Pierrot pleading

Art Movement: Pictorialism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Nadar: Gustave Courbet

1850

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #18: Gustave Courbet

Art Movement: Pictorialism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Charles Deburau, Pierrot listening (1855)

1855

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #19: Charles Deburau, Pierrot listening

Art Movement: Pictorialism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Gustave Doré by Nadar

1855

Magnificent hand-painted reproduction of Gustave Doré’s iconic portrait by Nadar. Explore this 1855 masterpiece – a rare glimpse into the artist's life, captured with Nadar’s photographic skill.

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #20: Gustave Doré

Art Movement: Romanticism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Charles Baudelaire

1855

Art Movement: Pictorialism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Pierrot Climbing Through a Window, Nadar

1854

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #22: Pierrot Climbing Through a Window

Art Movement: Pictorialism
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Félix Nadar Indian like (1863) by Nadar

1863

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #23: Félix Nadar Indian like

Art Movement: Pictorialism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17726 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Sarah Bernhardt in the Role of Junie in "Britannicus" by Jean Racine – Nadar

1860

A striking daguerreotype of Sarah Bernhardt as Junie in Racine’s ‘Britannicus,’ captured by Nadar. Explore this iconic 1860 portrait's classical style & photographic detail.

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #24: Sarah Bernhardt in the Role of Junie in "Britannicus" by Jean Racine

Art Movement: Realism
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Nadar, Michail Bakunin (1860)

1860

Admire Felix Nadar’s iconic 1860 portrait of Michail Bakunin. A captivating 19th-century photograph showcasing realism & artistic brilliance. Explore art history!

View the most popular artwork of Nadar ranked #25: Michail Bakunin

Art Movement: Realism

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 261 artworks by Nadar
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Nadar

1820 – 1910

Quick facts

Copyright statusPublic domain
Best occasionsstatement
Corpus themessocial commentary, realism, dark romanticism, documentary photography, early photojournalism
Mediumsacrylic on canvas
Works on APS261
Also known asGaspard-Félix Tournachon, Félix Nadar, Tournadar, نادر, Надар
Died1910
Top-ranked workAlexandre Dumas père (1802-1870)

Biography

Félix Nadar: A Pioneer of Photography

Early Life and Beginnings

Born: Gaspard-Félix Tournachon on April 5, 1820, in Paris (though some sources suggest Lyon).
His father, Victor Tournachon, was a printer and bookseller.
Initially studied medicine but abandoned it due to financial constraints after his father’s death.
Nadar, as he became known, began his career as a caricaturist and novelist, contributing to various newspapers.

From Caricature to Photography

Began experimenting with photography around 1853.
Opened his first photographic studio in 1854 at 113 rue St. Lazare, later moving to 35 Boulevard des Capucines in 1860.
Quickly gained recognition for his striking and psychologically insightful portraits.
Rejection of Convention: Nadar eschewed the opulent backdrops common in portraiture, preferring natural light and a focus on the sitter’s personality.

Pioneering Aerial Photography

In 1858, Nadar became the first person to take aerial photographs using balloons.
Overcame technical challenges related to developing photographic plates at altitude by inventing a gas-proof cotton cover for his balloon baskets.
Also pioneered artificial lighting in photography, notably within the Paris Catacombs.
Le Géant: Commissioned the construction of a massive balloon named “Le Géant” (The Giant) in 1863, inspiring Jules Verne’s *Five Weeks in a Balloon*.

Major Achievements and Influences

Portraiture: Photographed numerous prominent figures including Victor Hugo, Charles Baudelaire, Sarah Bernhardt, and Gustave Courbet.
Established the world’s first airmail service during the Siege of Paris (1870-71) using balloon flights.
Hosted the first Impressionist exhibition in his studio in 1874, providing a crucial platform for emerging artists.
Published what is considered the first photo-interview in 1886, featuring chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul.

Later Life and Legacy

Moved his studio to Marseille from 1895 to 1909.
Died on March 20, 1910, in Paris and is buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery.
His son, Paul Nadar, continued the studio’s operations after his death.
Quand j’étais photographe: Published a memoir reflecting on his life and work, offering valuable insights into 19th-century photography.
Historical Significance: Nadar's innovative techniques and artistic vision profoundly impacted the development of photography as an art form. His portraits remain iconic representations of Parisian intellectual and artistic circles.

Questions & Answers

What moods do Nadar's artworks express?

Nadar's works can be browsed by mood on the artist's Mood Room page, which arranges the artworks by their recorded moods.

Where are Nadar's artworks organized by color?

The Spectral Index of Nadar is a page that organizes the artist's artworks by their colors.

What other names is Nadar known by?

Nadar appears under the alternate names Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, Félix Nadar, Tournadar, نادر, Надар.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Sept. 25, 2026

Collector's quiz

Félix Nadar is renowned for being a pioneer in what photographic technique?
Nadar's large balloon, 'Le Géant,' directly inspired a famous novel by which author?
Beyond photography, Nadar initially worked as a…
What innovation did Nadar develop to enable stable aerial photography?
Nadar is credited with organizing what significant event in 1874?

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