Artist Index: Braun, Adolphe

Flower study. Circa. 1855. Varnished salted paper print. 31,4 x 37,2 cm (37,2 x 43,3 cm).

Trained originally as a fabric designer, Adolphe Braun embarked on his photography career in 1853, initially focusing on capturing flowers for a catalog titled Fleurs photographiées, with the intention of incorporating them into wallpaper and fabric designs. This venture proved highly successful, earning him a medal at the 1855 Paris Exposition Universelle, and he even presented an album of the photographs to Empress Eugénie of France. By the early 1860s, Braun shifted his focus to creating topographical views across Europe and later expanded into reproductions of artworks, establishing his studio as one of the world's largest publishers of such images. – Some handling creases and smudging of mount, some discoloration along edges of print, otherwise in good condition.

Magnolias and other flowers. 1850s. Albumen print with rounded corners. 32 x 37,5 cm. Mounted to card (soiled, foxing and traces of use in edges), photographer's blindstamp above/below image on mount.

Slightly faded, retouched spot in left edge, some light handling marks, otherwise in good condition.

Views of Switzerland (Engadine): Sils Maria, St. Moritz, Bergün, Alpp Grünn, Vallée de Fex etc. 1870s. 10 albumen prints. Each circa 13,5 x 22,8 cm. Mounted to original board (slight foxing), photographer's name and location printed below the image on the mount, 1 with printed title label on the verso of the mount.

Some surface scuff marks, some with slight foxing, most in very good condition with a strong brown tone.

Apple blossoms. 1850s. Varnished albumen print with rounded corners. 35,5 x 30,5 cm. Mounted to card.

Some spotting from glue in edges, otherwise a strong print in very good condition.

Various flowers and ferns. 1850s. Varnished albumen print with rounded corners. 37 x 31 cm. Mounted to card.

Some mirroring in left edge towards upper area, otherwise in very good condition.

Chrysanthemums. 1850s. Albumen print. 40 x 49 cm. Mounted to board.

Soiled/foxing in edges, some scuff marks, otherwise in good condition.

Irises. 1850s. Varnished albumen print with rounded corners. 43 x 38 cm. Mounted to card.

Some spotting from glue in edges, some surface scuff marks, a few handling marks, otherwise in good condition.

Papavers. 1850s. Varnished albumen print with rounded corners. 43 x 38 cm. Mounted to card.

Some spotting from glue in edges, some surface scuff marks, a few handling marks, some buckling in lower portion, otherwise in very good condition.

Vine with grapes. 1850s. Varnished albumen print with rounded corners. 47 x 43 cm. Flush-mounted to card and mounted to card (time-stained in edges).

Some repaired tears near left edge and in upper right corner, a few light handling marks, slightly faded in edges, otherwise in good condition.

Peonies. 1850s. Varnished albumen print with rounded corners. 36,3 x 43,7 cm. Mounted to card.

Some spotting from glue in edges, otherwise a strong print in very good condition.

Still life with quinces and berries. 1850s. Albumen print with rounded corners. 30,5 x 37,5 cm. Mounted to card (water stain in upper left, slight soiling).

Originally a textile designer, Adolphe Braun turned to photography in 1853 to supply artists with studies of floral motifs. He managed to create a successful photographic enterprise and his floral studies were highly acclaimed by contemporary critics for their accurate and delicate rendition of botanical subjects.

Literatur: Maureen C. O'Brien/Mary Bergstein (eds.). Adolphe Braun. Image and Enterprise. London 2000.

(Attributed to). View of St. Peter's over the Tiber River. 1880s. Large-format carbon print. 43 x 57 cm. Flush-mounted to board, annotated in ink on mount verso.

A few rubbed spots, otherwise a rich, dark print in very good condition. With: Adolphe Braun. View of the loggia of the Vatican. 1880s. Carbon print. 47 x 36 cm. Mounted to board with text and photographer's name printed in lower margin.

Lit.: Maureen C. O'Brien/Mary Bergstein (eds.). Adolphe Braun. Image and Enterprise. London 2000.