Émile de Girardin, born in Paris in 1806 and died there in 1881, was one of the most consequential French journalists of the nineteenth century, and this albumen carte-de-visite portrait captures him with a directness appropriate to his forceful public reputation. The photograph was made at the studio of Charles Reutlinger, who founded one of the most important photographic establishments in Paris in 1850, with the dual-address imprint on the reverse placing the card at the studio's mature operating period. The mount's double-ruled olive border and cream stock are consistent with Reutlinger production of the 1860s to early 1870s.

Girardin is shown in a three-quarter bust, turned slightly left, wearing a light wool frock coat over a white shirt with a wide, loosely knotted dark bow tie. A watch chain pin is visible at the lapel. He wears pince-nez spectacles secured by a fine cord that falls to his chest, and his dark hair is swept back from a broad forehead; his expression is composed and unsentimental.

Known as the Napoleon of the press, Girardin was the most flamboyant French journalist of his era, and his inexpensive daily newspaper La Presse undersold the competition by half through cheaper production and heavier advertising. The Reutlinger studio became famous precisely for its portraits of the actors, artists, musicians, and public figures of this period, making the pairing of subject and photographer a natural one.

The reverse bears the printed studio imprint "Ch. Reutlinger, Photographe, 21, Boulevard Montmartre, 21 et 112 Rue Richelieu, 112, Paris," with the crown and arms device, and the legend "Déposé / Garanti d'après nature" ("Registered / Guaranteed from life") printed on the face below the image. Inscribed in pencil on the reverse in two hands: "Emil de Girardi" and "de Girardin," with the numeral 7 in a drawn box. A purple "Culver Service, 205 East 42nd Street, New York" agency stamp and notations "2/21/12," "Colaez," and "Eb" appear in ink.