Victor Hugo’s only period print portrait at Veules-les-Roses, at his friend’s Paul Meurice: From the Paul Meurice archives

[HUGO] QUINET, Alexandre (1836-1900)

Original photography of Victor Hugo by Alexandre Quinet
[Veules-les-Roses, c. 1882], 11,8 x 16,4 cm
Period albumen print mounted on yellow carton
Some light stains, low contrasts

From the Paul Meurice archives

Victor Hugo's only period print portrait at Veules-les-Roses, at his friend's Paul Meurice

This portrait can be dated to the year 1882, when the poet was 80 years old. Despite the great age, the pose is both full of energy and derision. Hugo, with his white beard and crossed arms, appears more than ever as an unshakable patriarch.

Paul Meurice's house was located on the coast of Veules-les-Roses, in Normandy. During his stays at his friend's house, Victor Hugo stayed below the house in a small pavilion, directly adjacent to the beach. This photo is taken on the promenade along the staircase of that same pavilion.

French novelist and playwright Paul Meurice (1818-1905) was one of Victor Hugo's loyal friends. When the latter died, Meurice and the other great friend, Auguste Vacquerie, were named as his executors. In 1902, he set about building up a collection around his friend (drawings, manuscripts, photographs) in preparation for the opening to the public of his house on the Place des Vosges in Paris, which was inaugurated on 30 June 1903.

Photographer's stamp on the back: Adre Quinet / Photographe / 42 rue Cadet, Paris

Provenance:
Archives Paul Meurice

Iconography:
Victor Hugo devant l'objectif, éd. Jean-Marc Gomis, L'Harmattan, 2018, p. 349, n°249