The History of Cypriot
Photography – Part 1
By Ismail Veli
The history of photography in Cyprus is relatively new by Western standards. One article like this cannot even come close to a comprehensive history of this important profession. Most of the famous photographers like John Thompson, J.P Foscolos, Charles & Leopold Glazner, Mangoyan and Avedisyan to name just a few were not even Cypriots. Yet most of the images taken by these great photographers from
The first recorded photo images of Cyprus were actually taken by Lois De Clercq, a Frenchman who visited Cyprus with Emmanuel Guillaume-Rey in 1859-60 to study the history of Crusader Castles. Only 3 of these images are known to exist. The Church of Panaghia Anghelostiki in the village of Kiti, Larnaca. The Ottoman fountain in Famagusta, and the Sultan Mahmut Library in Nicosia. It’s therefore safe to say that the history of Cypriot photography started in 1859-60. It’s John Thompsons images of Cyprus in 1878 however that kick started the real push to establish photography in Cyprus.
The pioneer of Turkish Cypriot Photography, Ahmet Sevki first started in 1887. In 1899 he married Ismet Hanim to whom he taught the techniques of photography. They continued to work together as amateur
If there is one thing Cypriots can at least agree on, it’s that the contribution of photographic images are one aspect of the diversity of talent on the Island that have been captured for future posterity. Long may it live.
To read and see “The history of Cypriot Photography part 2” – click here
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