Louis William Desanges (1822-1905)
Photographer: Camille Silvy (1834-1910)
23 December 1860
Albumen print
3 3/8 in. x 2 1/8 in. (86 mm x 54 mm)
Source: Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London NPG Ax5121
Purchased, 1904
With his top hat on the chair beside him, and sporting his furled umbrella nonchalantly on his shoulder, Desanges looks the image of a self-possessed gentleman. Rows of books in the cabinet beside him suggest his wide reading. [Click on the image to enlarge it.] — Jacqueline Banerjee