Lot Essay
Based on the Whitman daguerrotype which was taken in Providence, Rhode Island in 1848 and named after Sarah Helen Whitman to whom Poe proposed that year, it seems likely that this portrait is related to Baudelaire's projected edition of critical articles about the American poet. Originally Baudelaire approached Bracquemond but was dissatisfied with the result. He then consulted the photographer Nadar who suggested that he ask their mutual acquaintance Manet to undertake the project. Baudelaire seems to have rejected this portrait of Poe as well and later asked Alphonse Legros to produce another version. The plate was retained in Manet's studio and printed posthumously by Gennevilliers, Dumont and Strolin.