Napoleon Sarony
born: 1821 Quebec, Canada
-Moved to New York around 1836
Photo for re-creation: Eugene Sandow with a Leopard Skin (posing as the Farnese Hercules)
Year of creation: 1893
Napoleon Saroney was a lithographer who became involved in photography. During the later half of the 19th century theater was taking off on Broadway and in America which created an industry. Photographers for the actors and actresses became a hit profession since it was a way to get your face out in the public and advertise for shows that were upcoming. Photographers would pay the actors to be photographed and then, having the rights to the photos, would sell the photos for profit. Sarony realized that he could get in on this, and in 1866 opened up a studio on Broadway. For the next 30 years he photographed almost every New York actor, which led to him becoming America's best-known portrait photographer. He made use of lively backgrounds and had the actors pose dramatically.
Just another image for a Broadway actor, this photo seems to re-create the ideal man of Greek and Roman sculpture along with a sense of royalty given by the leopard skin. There is lighting coming in from the right hand side of the photo, but it is subtle, only prominent in the shadows on the left side of the body. The photo is full, giving you Sandow's entire body from what appears to be only a few feet away. With Sandow's name at the bottom, along with additional writing this to me is the equivalent to a comp card today.
I like how well Sarony did of keeping this photo simple as his subject is supposed to be Hercules and it could have easily become lavish and cheesy. I do not like the look on Sandow's face or that he is looking down. He looks contemplative and submissive and not strong and manly like the rest of the photo is emphasizing. This could have had something to do with the role he was playing, but I am not sure and from just looking at the photo this is what stands out as feeling wrong to me.
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