Emile Zola, photographer!

[Daniela]

Emile Zola, the wonderful writer, became an avid photographer in his 40s, mostly photographing his family's daily life. It's interesting to get a glimpse of who he was and his life. His sense of humor and love for his children (and wives, so many portraits!) comes through really well. I particularly liked the pictures of his children and pets.

If you come to Paris before April 20th, you can see the exhibition "Zola photographe" in Versailles. If not, you can see the over 2000 negatives he left here!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I did not know that Emile Zola was also a photographer. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Wow. Did not know this ! Thanks for sharing.

Reminds me that I recently discovered that the painter Edgar Degas was also an avid photographer.

https://essentiels.bnf.fr/fr/article/7e065e85-0092-43e7-b002-ef7fdf333150-degas-photographe

 

[pentaxuser]

His sense of humor and love for his children (and wives, so many portraits!) comes through really well.

View attachment 393696

Wives? How many did he have?

Thanks


pentaxuser

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Wives? How many did he have?

Thanks


pentaxuser

One wife, one (known) mistress.

 

[Daniela]

Wow. Did not know this ! Thanks for sharing.

Reminds me that I recently discovered that the painter Edgar Degas was also an avid photographer.

https://essentiels.bnf.fr/fr/article/7e065e85-0092-43e7-b002-ef7fdf333150-degas-photographe

And I didn't know that about Degas! That anecdote in the article is hilarious.

Wives? How many did he have?

Thanks


pentaxuser

Like Alex said, there was one wife, and the mistress never became his wife, unlike what I understood. I guess he had too much love to give and one person wasn't enough!

 

[pentaxuser]

And I didn't know that about Degas! That anecdote in the article is hilarious.


Like Alex said, there was one wife, and the mistress never became his wife, unlike what I understood. I guess he had too much love to give and one person wasn't enough!

Thanks I must remember to give that as a reason for my infidelity in the divorce court

pentaxuser

 

[snusmumriken]

The quality of Zola’s photos is really impressive. Thanks so much for sharing.

 

[koraks]

The quality of Zola’s photos is really impressive.

Indeed! Never knew he was a photographer, let alone such a competent one!

 

[Daniela]

Thanks I must remember to give that as a reason for my infidelity in the divorce court

pentaxuser

Good luck with that!

Indeed! Never knew he was a photographer, let alone such a competent one!

One of the things mentioned in the exhibition was that, at the time, being a photographer required a vast knowledge of chemistry. And, he was apparently very dedicated in this regard, having set up darkrooms in every residence he had so he could continue his work wherever he was.

 

[koraks]

Yes, his images suggest technical competence, as well as dedication to the craft and attention to detail. The cleanliness of those portraits suggest a disciplined approach - he must have spent many, many hours honing the craft.