Louksor (Thèbes), Vue Générale des Ruines

Egypt impressed the imagination of all European cultures for a very loan time. 19th century Egyptomania was as a result of Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign (1798–1801) and, as a result of the scientific study of ancient Egyptian remains and culture inspired by this campaign. Western interest in ancient Egyptian history has led to extensive archaeological expeditions and innumerable collections of these magnificent antiquities worldwide.

Felix Teynard began his career as a painter, but soon became interested in photography. He opened a photographic studio in Grenoble in 1843 and quickly gained a reputation for his work. In 1851, he was commissioned by the French government to document the archaeological sites of Egypt. Teynard spent a year in Egypt and took over 2000 photographs of the country's monuments and landscapes. Teynard's photographs of Egypt were highly praised for their technical excellence and artistic beauty. His images captured the grandeur and mystery of ancient Egypt and helped popularise the country as a tourist destination. Teynard's work was exhibited at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1855, where it won a gold medal. On his return from Egypt, Teynard continued to work as a photographer in Grenoble. He specialised in portraiture and was known for his ability to capture the personality of his subjects. Teynard died in 1892, but his legacy as a pioneer of photography lives on. His photographs of Egypt are still admired today for their beauty and historical significance.

image_search Find relevant images and pages