This carte de visite image features German politician Theodor Johann Tantzen. The photographer who took this portrait of Mr. Tantzen was the celebrated photographer, Charles Reutlinger (1816-1881). Theodor Johann Tantzen (1834-1893) was from a political family in the Oldenburg State. His father was a member of parliament. Two of Theodor's children became important political figures. His son, also named Theodor, became Prime Minister of Oldenburg. Tantzen's grandson was philosopher Karl Jaspers (1883-1969). Theodor Tantzen grew up in Heering and at age twenty-one, he took over his fathers farm. In 1866 he was elected to the Oldenburg parliament. He remained in parliament for several terms and in fact died while still a parliament member. While in parliament he served in a number of other political roles. Now some words about the photographer. Charles Reutlinger was also part of a prominent and talented family. Charles Reutlinger was of German descent and founded the Reutlinger Photography Studio in Paris in 1850. The studio took photographs of many of the city's rich and famous residents and visitors until 1937. The British Journal of Photography (1867) provides a wonderful description of Reutlinger's studio. Charles's brother Emile took over the studio in 1880 and he ran it until 1890. Emile's son, Leopold took over in 1890 and among his accomplishments was that he developed the company's esteemed and economically successful postcard business. The studio became known for it's unusual art nouveau style of postcard designs. These were very notable in it's portraits of actresses. Leopold also introduced risque/erotic postcards. He operated the business until losing an eye in an accident with a champagne cork in 1930. He died seven years later.