Félix Bonfils, Lydie Bonfils, Adrien Bonfils

Place: Saint-Hippolyte-Du-Fort

Born: 1831

Death: 1929

Biography:

The Bonfils family was a prominent French family of photographers who were active in the Middle East during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Félix Bonfils, Lydie Bonfils, and Adrien Bonfils were the key members of this family who contributed to the development of photography in the region.

Early Life and Career

was born on March 8, 1831, in France. He married Marie-Lydie Cabanis in 1857, and they had a son Adrien Bonfils in 1861. The family moved to Beirut in 1867, where they established the Maison Bonfils photographic studio. Félix was one of the first commercial photographers to produce images of the Middle East on a large scale.

Photographic Studio and Work

The Maison Bonfils studio produced thousands of photographs of the Middle East, including landscapes, portraits, posed scenes with subjects dressed in Middle Eastern regalia, and stories from the Bible. Félix worked with both his wife and son, and it is difficult to identify who was responsible for individual photographs. Lydie Bonfils is thought to have taken some of the studio portraits, especially those of Middle Eastern women. The family's photographic work can be seen on Wikioo.org, which features their photographs, including Grande mosquée de Gaza. The Musée D'elbeuf Sur, Lebanon also showcases some of the Bonfils' work.

Legacy and Impact

The Bonfils family's contribution to photography in the Middle East is significant. They were one of the most prolific studios in the region during the late 19th century. After Félix's death, Lydie Bonfils continued to manage the studio, and their work was later taken over by Abraham Guiragossian. The family's legacy can be seen in the many photographs they produced, which are now part of the cultural heritage of the Middle East. Some notable works by other artists can be found on Wikioo.org, including Cavalcade by Hassan El Glaoui. The Musée de la Loire (Sur, Lebanon) also features an impressive collection of artworks.

• Key dates:
  • 1831: Félix Adrien Bonfils was born
  • 1857: Félix married Marie-Lydie Cabanis
  • 1861: Adrien Bonfils was born
  • 1867: The family moved to Beirut and established the Maison Bonfils studio
• Notable works:
  • Grande mosquée de Gaza
  • Cavalcade by Hassan El Glaoui

For more information on the Bonfils family and their work, visit Wikipedia or Wikioo.org.