2021-02-26 20:45:54
Frederic Boissonnas (1858-1946) was the first foreign photographer to document pictures of Greece in his photographs in the early 20th century. His mesmerizing photographs are today part of modern Greek history, which Boissonnas has explored almost entirely. Of course, in modern times, when people are able to comfortably travel on good roads and photograph with cell phones, Boissonnas' accomplishments may not be very impressive, but in the early 2000s, his work and travels were extraordinary.
Inhabitants of Omalos, Crete, 1911. CC license
The infatuation, which over time turned into a love for Greek culture, began when he learned from his father that their family was distant descendants of Greek sailors. Boissonnas began his Greek journeys in 1903 and for the next decades he documented the history and beauty of the country. He made his first photographic steps in Corfu and Athens. This is where the idea of traveling across the country and documenting the lives of the inhabitants of that time was born. At that time, his work was innovative and unique. His photographic output influenced not only the development of Greek photography in the 20th century, but above all shaped the opinion of Europeans about Greece at that time.
Frédéric Boissonnas, 1900. CC license
Boissonnas has visited Greece many times. After Corfu, Athens and the Peloponnese, the time has come for Attica and Meteora. After these expeditions, in August 1910, the first album was released, "In Greece by the mountains and the gorges", the circulation of which, despite the high price, quickly sold out. The reviews the photographer collected were enthusiastic. In 1911, Boissonnas targeted the islands of the Aegean Sea. He also came to Crete at the invitation of the then Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, where he photographed the most remote corners of the island. In later years, the Greek government financed photographic expeditions to Epirus and Macedonia.
Chania. Source: zarpanews.gr
Interior of a house in Crete, 1911. Source of the following photos: thesprotia-news.blogspot.com
Kreta, the Mantaka brothers in the village of Lakki, 1911
Interior of a house in the village of Lakkoi, 1911
Olive harvest in Crete, Preveli, 1911
Crete, backyard of the house, 1919
More photos of Boissonnas from Greece can be found at this link.
Unfortunately, there are no albums with works by Boissonnas available in Poland (and probably never were). Currently, the photos can be seen at the exhibition in Geneva. This exhibition is scheduled for March 28.
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