Nadar’s series: Hermaphrodite (1860)

The scene takes place in 1860. Nadar, one of the most famous photographers of that time, captured a series of nine photographs featuring an individual known as a Hermaphrodite. This series stands as the earliest known depiction of hermaphroditism and is currently housed at the BnF in France. As we will explore in more detail, this series may have been commissioned by a doctor who sought to represent the individual with artistry and truth. The identity of the person photographed remains unknown, echoing the enigmatic nature of the series, which intertwined aesthetic and medical concerns. It is worth noting that from its inception until the 1930s, medical representation has consistently intertwined with art.