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Portrait of the Actor Pierre Bocage and Friend, c. 1860. Creator: Eugene Colliau (French)
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Portrait of the Actor Pierre Bocage and Friend, c. 1860. Creator: Eugene Colliau (French)
Portrait of the Actor Pierre Bocage and Friend, c. 1860. Unlike the nearby two theatrical portraits, which show the actors in character, Bocage is shown as himself. Known by the stage name Bocage, Pierre-Martinien Tousez was a star of the Comedie-Francaise. Here he poses with a younger friend whose identity is unknown. Physical contact and gestures of affection between men are common in 19th- and early 20th-century photographs. They are most widely read as expressions of friendship, although some contemporary scholars suggest that a portion of these portraits could be coded expressions of romantic relationships
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This photograph, titled "Portrait of the Actor Pierre Bocage and Friend, c. 1860" offers a glimpse into the personal lives of two men during the 19th century. Unlike other theatrical portraits that depict actors in character, this image presents Pierre Bocage as himself. Known by his stage name, Bocage was a renowned star of the Comedie-Francaise. In this intimate moment frozen in time, Bocage stands alongside a younger friend whose identity remains unknown to us today. Their physical contact and gestures of affection were not uncommon in photographs from this era. Such displays were often interpreted as expressions of friendship among men. However, modern scholars have also suggested that some of these portraits could be coded representations of romantic relationships. While it is impossible to definitively determine the nature of their bond based solely on this image, it invites contemplation about love and companionship beyond societal norms. The photograph itself is an albumen print created from a wet collodion negative—an intricate process used during the 19th century for producing photographic prints. This particular print is part of France's artistic heritage and now resides within The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. Through Eugene Colliau's lens, we are transported back in time to witness a tender connection between two individuals—a testament to enduring friendships or perhaps something more profound hidden beneath their gaze.
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