Howard, Bourne & Shepherd

Place: Calcutta

Born: 1863

Death: 2016

Biography:

The Indian photographic studio Howard, Bourne & Shepherd was one of the oldest established photographic businesses in the world. Established in 1863 by Samuel Bourne and Charles Shepherd, it was at its peak the most successful commercial firm in 19th- and early 20th-century India.

Early Years

The studio was originally founded by Samuel Bourne and Charles Shepherd in Shimla, India. Later, William Howard joined the partnership, and they set up a new studio called Howard & Bourne at Shimla. In 1864, Charles Shepherd moved to Shimla and joined the company to form Howard, Bourne & Shepherd. The studio became known for its architectural, landscape, and topographical photographs, as well as portraits of Indian royalty and dignitaries.

Photographic Expeditions

made three major Himalayan photographic expeditions in 1863, 1866, and prior to which he took an expedition to Kashmir in 1864. He was known to travel with a large retinue of 42 coolies, carrying cameras, darkroom tents, and chests of chemicals and glass plates. His work was exhibited in public exhibitions in Europe and was also part of the Paris Universal Exposition in 1867.

Legacy

The studio's work was widely retailed throughout the subcontinent by agents and in Britain through wholesale distributors. They were patronized by the upper echelons of the British Raj as well as Indian royalty. The studio's photographers, including Samuel Bourne and Charles Shepherd, were known for their masterful printing skills. The studio's legacy can be seen in the works of other artists, such as Étienne Neurdein And Louis-Antonin Neurdein, whose photograph The 1900 Paris Exposition, The Palace of Illusions is a remarkable work.

• The studio's photographers were known for their attention to detail and their ability to capture the essence of Indian landscapes.
• Their photographs were widely distributed and can be found in collections such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Geographic Society's Image Collection.
• The studio's legacy continues to be celebrated through the works of artists such as Howard Cook, whose painting East Wind is a stunning example of his skill.
• The studio's history can be found in the Bourne & Shepherd article on Wikipedia.

works by Howard, Bourne & Shepherd can be found at The Indian Space Painting Art Movement, which showcases the studio's unique approach to depicting space. The studio's legacy continues to be celebrated through the works of artists such as Maxfield Parrish, whose painting The Gardener is a stunning example of his skill.