Charles Marville

Charles Marville, the pseudonym of Charles François Bossu (Paris 17 July 1813 – 1 June 1879 Paris), was a French photographer, who mainly photographed architecture, landscapes and the urban environment. He used both paper and glass negatives. He is most well known for taking pictures of ancient Parisian quarters before they were destroyed and rebuilt under "Haussmannization", Baron Haussmann's new plan for modernization of Paris. In 1862, he was named official photographer of Paris.[1]

Charles Marville, photographic self-portrait, c. 1861
"Rue de Constantine", c. 1865

Biography

Marville's past was largely a mystery until Sarah Kennel of the National Gallery of Art and independent researcher Daniel Catan discovered that Marville's given name was Charles-François Bossu. That newly-found association allowed them to discover a variety of biographical information, including photographs of his family, that had been considered lost to time.[1]

Bossu was born in 1813 in Paris.[2] Coming from an "established" Paris family, he trained as a painter, illustrator and engraver. He assumed the pseudonym Charles Marville around 1832, and began working in his field. After 17 years, as an illustrator, he took up photography around 1850.[1] He had no family, but a long-time companion was included in his will. He died in 1879 in Paris.[2]

Notes and references
  1. Charles Marville: Photographer of Paris
  2. Luminous-Lint - Photographer - Charles Marville
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