In the early years of photography, landscape studies, architectural views, and studio portraiture were the main focus of the new medium. A photograph such as The Portal of Saint Ursinus at Bourges of 1863 by the Bisson Frères (Bisson Brothers) reveals a widespread interest on the part of the French at that time in their nation’s past and in the preservation of historical monuments. Using large-format cameras and glass-plate negatives, the Bissons captured their architectural subjects with exquisite sharpness of detail and purity of light.
The Portal of Saint Ursinus at Bourges, rue du Vieux Poirier
Place
France (Artist's nationality:)
Date
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Travis, David. 1982. “Photography in Chicago Collections.” Exh. cat. The Art Institute of Chicago. p. 10.
Matthew S. Witkovsky et al., “The Art Institute of Chicago Field Guide to Photography and Media,” eds. Antawan I. Byrd, Elizabeth Siegel, and Carl Fuldner, pl. 331, p. 338 (Chicago: Art Institute of Chicago, 2023).
Chicago, Illinois, Art Institute of Chicago, “A History of Photography from Chicago Collection,” April 24–June 6, 1982.
Art Institute of Chicago, “Crossing the Line: Photography Reconsidered,” January 29 - June 4, 2000, (David Travis).
Art Institute of Chicago, Gallery 10 Permanent Collection Rotation, August 2011–April 2012.
Houston, Texas, Museum of Fine Arts, “The Art of Photography: 1839-1989,” February 11-April 30, 1989; traveled to Australian National Gallery, Canberra, June 17-August 27, 1989; Royal Academy of Arts, London, September 23-December 23, 1989; Sezon Museum of Art, Tokyo, March 3-April 1, 1990. (Anne Tucker)
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