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Maréchal Serrano

Nadarnegative April 1857; print about 1861

The J. Paul Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles, United States

When Maréchal Francisco Serrano y Dominguez sat for Nadar, he was forty-six years old and the Spanish ambassador to France, a post he held only for a year. He is more elaborately turned out than any other sitter to appear before Nadar's camera, bedecked with medals--including the cross of San Fernando--that attest to his military prowess. His carriage erect, he looks thoroughly accustomed to holding himself in this formal posture.

Because Nadar also photographed Serrano's successor Narvaez in full formal diplomatic regalia, he may have made the two photographs to commemorate the changing of the Spanish ambassadorial guard in September of 1857. Despite his illustrious career, Serrano is perhaps not remembered much today, even in Spain. In happy coincidence with his splendid appearance, however, the Calle Serrano, Madrid's equivalent of Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive, is named after him.

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  • Title: Maréchal Serrano
  • Creator: Nadar [Gaspard Félix Tournachon]
  • Date Created: negative April 1857; print about 1861
  • Location Created: Paris, France
  • Physical Dimensions: 23.5 × 18.4 cm (9 1/4 × 7 1/4 in.)
  • Type: Print
  • External Link: Find out more about this object on the Museum website.
  • Medium: Salted paper print
  • Terms of Use: Open Content
  • Number: 84.XM.436.276
  • Culture: French
  • Credit Line: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
  • Creator Display Name: Nadar [Gaspard Félix Tournachon] (French, 1820 - 1910)
  • Classification: Photographs (Visual Works)
The J. Paul Getty Museum

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