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Portrait of Napoleon III full-length in general's uniform by Mayer & Pierson.
Napoleon III wanted to make his reign one of scientific and social progress, of industry and the arts, of France's restored grandeur. Photography, as both instrument and symbol, offered itself to serve this ambition. It was the modern medium that would capture the image of a modern reign.
Napoleon III popularized the wearing of this handsome moustache. At that time, it was the monarchs who were in the spotlight and who influenced fashion.
Business card format 6.3 x 9.5 cm
Mayer (1817-1895) and Pierson (1822-1913) were the founders of the company "Mayer Frères et Pierson," whose purpose was the production and sale of any reproduction using the daguerreotype, photography, or any other method that might be subsequently discovered. Located at 3 Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, the workshop became the Emperor's official photographic studio in 1856. The partners became photographers to the Emperor in July 1862. They produced numerous portraits of Napoleon's family, as well as of the Parisian aristocracy and celebrities such as Sarah Bernhardt. Their reputation spread beyond France and became European.
Emperor Napoleon III full-length portrait by MAYER & PIERSON c.1860
Portrait of Napoleon III full-length in general's uniform by Mayer & Pierson.
Napoleon III wanted to make his reign one of scientific and social progress, of industry and the arts, of France's restored grandeur. Photography, as both instrument and symbol, offered itself to serve this ambition. It was the modern medium that would capture the image of a modern reign.
Napoleon III popularized the wearing of this handsome moustache. At that time, it was the monarchs who were in the spotlight and who influenced fashion.
Business card format 6.3 x 9.5 cm
Mayer (1817-1895) and Pierson (1822-1913) were the founders of the company "Mayer Frères et Pierson," whose purpose was the production and sale of any reproduction using the daguerreotype, photography, or any other method that might be subsequently discovered. Located at 3 Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, the workshop became the Emperor's official photographic studio in 1856. The partners became photographers to the Emperor in July 1862. They produced numerous portraits of Napoleon's family, as well as of the Parisian aristocracy and celebrities such as Sarah Bernhardt. Their reputation spread beyond France and became European.