Camille Silvy

photographer

French^[1,2] b. 18 March 1834, Nogent-le-Rotrou, France^[1,2] d. 2 February 1910, Saint-Maurice, France^[1,2] active 1857–1910

Camille Silvy (1834–1910) was a French photographer and diplomat who became one of the most significant figures in early landscape photography. After training in London as an amateur, he established a successful portrait studio in Bayswater before turning his attention to artistic landscapes. He is best known for his 1858 masterpiece 'River Scene, France' (La Vallée de l'Huisne), which was hailed as a pinnacle of the medium. Silvy also conducted pioneering photographic expeditions to West Africa in the 1860s.^[1,2,3]

• Landscape Photography
• Portraiture
• West African Exploration

Works by Camille Silvy

• 1858 River Scene, France photograph Albumen silver print; considered a masterpiece of early landscape photography.

Exhibitions

• 2010 Camille Silvy, Photographer of Modern Life, 1834-1910 National Portrait Gallery, London · solo

References

1. Camille-Léon-Louis Silvy (1834 - 2 February 1910) link
2. Camille-Léon-Louis Silvy (1834, in Nogent-le-Rotrou, France - 1910, in Saint-Maurice, France) link
3. Camille Silvy (1834 - 1910). J. Paul Getty Museum link