Adrien Tournachon
[Pierrot in Pain]

CultureFrench
Titles
  • [Pierrot in Pain]
Date1854
MediumSalted paper print from glass negative
DimensionsImage: 11 1/2 × 8 9/16 in. (29.2 × 21.7 cm)
Sheet: 11 1/2 × 8 9/16 in. (29.2 × 21.7 cm)
Mount: 18 3/8 × 14 3/8 in. (46.7 × 36.5 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Buddy Taub Foundation, Dennis A. Roach and Jill Roach, Directors
Object number2016.42
Current Location
The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building
Gallery 208
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Photography
Object Type
Description

Before taking up the camera himself, Nadar arranged for his younger brother, Adrien, to study photography and equipped a studio for him. In addition, Nadar conceived a brilliant scheme to promote the business by asking a friend, the mime Charles Deburau, to enact a series of scenes for the camera in the role of Pierrot. The series won a gold medal at the 1855 Universal Exposition. Here, the sickness that Pierrot’s overindulgence has wrought is etched on Deburau’s face, enacted in the spasmed hand clawing at his belly and suggested by the dark shadow that seems to emanate from his mouth.


ProvenanceBy descent in the family of Charles Deburau; [Galerie Lumière des Roses, Montreuil, France, 2015]; purchased by MFAH, 2016.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed in pencil, verso of mount, bottom left edge: 22863

Verso: [Inaccessible]

Verso: [Inaccessible]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Catharina
Adrien Tournachon
1858
Salted paper print from glass negative
2022.701
Taureau de Leneschitz
Adrien Tournachon
1856
Salted paper print from glass negative
2018.185
[The Mime Jean-Charles Deburau Interprets Pierrot]
Nadar (Gaspard Félix Tournachon)
1854–1855
Salted paper prints from glass negatives
2023.299.1-.11
Untitled
Adrien Tournachon
1854
Albumen silver print from glass negative
2004.740
Meg-Merrillies
Adrien Tournachon
1856
Salted paper print
2004.739
Alexandre Dumas père
Nadar (Gaspard Félix Tournachon)
1855
Salted paper print from glass negative
2004.613
Catacombs, Paris
Nadar (Gaspard Félix Tournachon)
1862
Albumen silver print from glass negative
2023.473
Catacombs, Paris
Nadar (Gaspard Félix Tournachon)
1862
Albumen silver print from glass negative
2023.472
Sewers, Paris
Nadar (Gaspard Félix Tournachon)
1865
Albumen silver print from glass negative
2023.475
Catacombs, Paris
Nadar (Gaspard Félix Tournachon)
1862
Albumen silver print from glass negative
2023.474
[André Gill]
Nadar (Gaspard Félix Tournachon)
late 19th Century
Albumen silver print from glass negative
77.280
Marie-Berthe Fayolle, Théâtre Français
Nadar (Gaspard Félix Tournachon)
late 19th Century
Albumen silver print from glass negative
77.278