Accession Number
1974/1.112

Title
Marchand Abat-Jours

Artist(s)
Eugène Atget

Artist Nationality
French (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1899 - 1900

Medium & Support
gold-toned gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
10 in x 13 in (25.4 cm x 33.02 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
This photograph, depicting a lampshade seller with his wares standing in the middle of a cobble-stone street, bridges a number of photographic genres. Part portrait, part street photograph, the central placement of the lampshade seller in the dramatically receding street draws attention to a class of Parisian that might otherwise be overlooked. The man holds himself with dignity, displaying his decorative lampshades to best effect. The obscurity of his profession likely appealed to Atget's instinct for the unusual.

Physical Description
Street vendor standing in the middle of a paved street.

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Paris
Urban life
documentary photography
lamp
lampshades
males
modern and contemporary art
single-sitter portraits
street scenes
street vendors
streets