Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division
Princeton University Library Collection of Félix Bonfils Photographs
Princeton University. Library. Special Collections
Bonfils, Félix (1831-1885)
C0942
/repositories/5/resources/3477
2 boxes
1.8 linear feet
1867-1885
The Félix Bonfils Photographs Collection consists of photographs taken by Bonfils in the second half of the 19th century of images and people in the eastern Mediterranean.
scamss
English
French
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
For preservation reasons, original analog
and digital media may not be read or played back in the
reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media
but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog
audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality
standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests
are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note,
the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks
to as long as several months and there may be financial costs
associated with the process.
Requests should be directed through the
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Scope and Contents
The collction consists of an open collection of photographs of images and people in the eastern Mediterranean taken by Bonfils during the second half of the 19th century and published by his Maison Bonfils studio in Beirut, Lebanon. Included are a panorama of Beirut; a view of Athens, Greece; a panorama (3 parts) of Olympia; a panorama (3 parts) of Istanbul and the Golden Horn; a panorama of Athens (3 parts); and several photographs of women in their traditional dress. There are also two albumen prints--one image of the Erectheum and one image of the interior of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (27.4 x 37.7 cm.)--and a group of 56 captioned images of sites in Syria and Palestine.
Arrangement
This is a growing collection. Currently, the photographs are arranged by accession number, then by Bonfils photograph number.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Bernard J. Shapero and Petros Vergos in 2003-2008.
Appraisal
No appraisal information is available.
Related Materials
Approximately 850 additional Bonfils photographs are available in the Rudolf-Ernst Brunnow Papers (C0396). Additionally, there are 69 photographs by Bonfils in Photographs of Syria and Palestine, v. 2, located in the Graphic Arts Division.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Félix Bonfils Photographs Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Karla J. Vecchia in 2003. Finding aid written by Karla J. Vecchia in 2003.
Bonfils, Félix (1831-1885)
Biographical / Historical
Félix Bonfils was born on 8 March 1831, in St. Hippolyte du Fort (Gard), France. He was initially trained as a bookbinder, but became an amateur photographer after a short tour of duty with the army in Lebanon (1860). This introduction to the Middle East and photography would soon combine to become Bonfils' destiny. When his young son, Adrien (b. 1861), suffered from respiratory problems, Bonfils' wife, Lydie (b. 1837), took the boy to recuperate in the dry, hot climate of Beirut. Lydie fell in love with Lebanon just as Bonfils' had, and by 1867 the family definitively moved to Beirut where Bonfils set up a photographic studio.
Maison Bonfils became a prolific studio, which, Bonfils bragged in 1871, produced 591 negatives from various sites along the eastern Mediterranean, 15,000 prints, and 9,000 stereoscopic views. Bonfils also published many albums focusing on a specific region or theme. His subjects included architectural details, monuments, and city views. These photographs were popular with the many travelers who began touring the region as an extension of the European Grand Tour. As a result of his success in Beirut, Bonfils went on to open a second studio in Alès, France.
Maison Bonfils was truly a family affair: Lydie assisted her husband and took studio portraits that formed part of the Bonfils photographic collection. After Bonfils' death in 1885 while working in Alès, Adrien returned to Beirut from military service in Algeria. He took over the studio, and, together with Lydie, continued his father's work, while also producing new images and engaging in new projects. But once Adrien's interest in photography waned, Lydie stepped in to run the studio alone. She carried on the tradition of her husband and son, and produced her own photographic catalog, until 1916 when World War I forced her to evacuate. Only two years later, in 1918, Lydie passed away; she was 81 years old. Adrien died in 1929. 1
Bibliography
The biographical sketch was written by consulting the following sources: Bortot, M. Scott. "A Journey into a Preserved Past." Middle East Times. March 2003. Rockett, Will H. "The Bonfils Story: A Legacy of Light." Al Mashriq: The Levant. Editor, Borre Ludvigsen. March 2003. Szegedy-Maszak, Andrew. "The Genius of Félix Bonfils." Archaeology. 54, no. 3 (May/June 2001). March 2003.
Clothing and dress -- Middle East. -- 19th century
Women -- Middle East. -- photographs
Athens (Greece) -- photographs
Beirut (Lebanon). -- photographs
Greece -- photographs
Lebanon. -- photographs
Middle East. -- photographs
Palestine. -- photographs
Syria. -- photographs
Panoramas -- Lebanon -- Beirut. -- 19th century
Photographs -- 19th century.
Maison Bonfils (Beirut, Lebanon)
2000 Accession/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611691 boxundatedImmediate Source of AcquisitionAM 2000-94
"The Slope of the Nymphs,"322/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611721 box22.4 x 27.8 cm., 40.5 x 50.5 cm. mat)undated1Scope and Contentsview of Athens, Greece, retouched with people in the foreground partially erased
2003 Accession/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611701 boxundatedImmediate Source of AcquisitionAM 2003-87
"Puits de la Samaritaine,"350/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611731 box21.5 x 28.1 cmundated1"Jeune femme de Naplouse,"619/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611741 box28.2 x 21.5 cmundated1"Dame arabe syrienne chez elle,"712/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611751 box21.8 x 27.9 cmundated12014 Accession/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611711 boxundatedImmediate Source of AcquisitionAM 2014-95
"Grotte des Pigeons prés Beyrouth"/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611761 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Jaffa, la passe. — The channel at Jaffa."236/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611771 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Porte St-Etienne. — St Stephen's gate."273/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611781 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Porte dorée, intérieur. — The golden gate, interior"276/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611791 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vallée des tombeaux de Josophat. — The valley of tombs of Jehoshaphat."310/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611801 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Champ du Sang, ou vallée de Hinnom. — The field of blood, or valley of Hinnom."317/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611811 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Résevoir de Siloé. — The Pool of Siloam."323/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611821 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Bethléem et de l'Eglise de la Nativité. — General view of Bethlehem and church of the Nativity"330/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611831 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Colonnade de l'église de la Nativité"333/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611841 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Eglise de la Nativité, intérieur. — Church of the Nativity, interior."334/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611851 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Grotte de la Nativité. — Cave of the Nativity."335/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611861 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Tombeau de Rachel. — Rachel's Tomb."336/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611871 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Panorama de Bethlehem No 2."339/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611881 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Jéricho. — General view of Jericho."343/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611891 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Jéricho. — General view of Jericho."343/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611901 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Fontaine d'Elisée. — Elisa's fountain."345/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611911 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Bethany. — General view of Bethany."346/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611921 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Bethany. — General view of Bethany."346/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611931 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Beïtten (Bethel). — Beittin (Bethel) general view."347/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611941 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Bethulie (Sanour). — Bethulia (Sanour) general view."348/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611951 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Puits de la Samaritaine ou de Jacob. — The well of Jacob."350/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611961 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Samarie (Sébaste), vue générale. — General view of Samaria (Sebaste)."351/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611971 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vallée de Naplouse (Sichem). — The valley of Naplouse (Neapolis) (Sichem)."354/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611981 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue de Tibériade, prise de l'ouest. — View of Tiberias from the west."362/repositories/5/archival_objects/8611991 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Ruines de Capernaüm. — Ruins of Capernaum."364/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612001 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Le Mont Carmel. — The Mount Carmel."367/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612011 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Sidon prise de la mer. — Sidon, from the sea."371/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612021 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Intérieur du temple du Jupiter à Balbek"454/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612031 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Beyrouth et du Liban (No 1)"480/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612041 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Coupole de l'Ascension, intérieur. — Cupola of the Ascension, interior."877/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612051 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Route de Bethany à Jérusalem. — Road from Bethany to Jerusalem."885/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612061 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Route de Bethlehem prise de la Porte de Jaffa à Jérusalem."888/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612071 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Puits des Mages. — Well of the Magi."889/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612081 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Grotte de la Nativité : la crêche. — Cave of the Nativity : the manger."893/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612091 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Grotte de la Nativité : la crêche. — Cave of the Nativity : the manger."893/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612101 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Champ de Booz, aux environs de Bethléem. — Field of Boaz in the environs of Bethlehem."895/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612111 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Jéricho."905/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612121 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Montagne et couvent de la quarantaine."908/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612131 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"La mer Morte et les Montagnes de Judée. — The Dead Sea and the hills of Judea."911/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612141 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Cours de Jourdain. — The course of the Jordan."916/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612151 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Courbe et cours de Jourdain. — Curve and course of the Jordan."917/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612161 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Naplouse et du Mt Garizim. — General view of Naplouse and Mount Garizim."926/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612171 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Naplouse et du Mt Ebal. — General view of Naplous and Mount Ebal."927/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612181 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Djenin, vue générale. — General view of Djenin."932/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612191 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Caïffa. — General view of Kaiffa."956/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612201 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Marché de Bethléem. — Market place at Bethlehem."1042/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612211 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Scène du marché à Bethléem. — Market scene at Bethlehem."1043/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612221 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Khan-el-Ahmar. — Khan-el-Amar : Scene of the « good Samaritan » episode."1044/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612231 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Wadi-el-Kelt : couvent St-Elie. — Wadi-el-Kelt : Convent of St Elias."1045/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612241 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Chêne d'Abraham à Hébron."1121/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612251 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Cérémonie du lavement des pieds chez les Grecs, devant le St-Sépulcre. — Greek ceremony of washing the feet in the outside-court of the Holy Sepulchre."1209/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612261 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vallée de Hinnom, vue de la rue de Bethléem. — Valley of Hinnom, view from the Bethlehem road."1224/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612271 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Vue générale de Bethléem, du puits de David.— General view of Bethlehem from David's well."1225/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612281 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"El-Bireh (Berôth). — El-Bireh (Berôth) general view."1243/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612291 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2"Barque de pêche sur le lac de Tibériade. — Fishing-boat on the lake of Tiberias."1244/repositories/5/archival_objects/8612301 box21.8 x 27.8 cmundated2Larnaca - Cyprus/repositories/5/archival_objects/14793751 foldercirca 1875FrenchImmediate Source of Acquisition(AM 2023-067)
Processing InformationThis item was processed and described by Kalliopi Balatsouka in June 2023.
Scope and ContentsConsists of (1) albumen mounted print (27x22cm) of Larnaca. Numbered and captioned "505 Ancien Larnaca. Vue générale- Chypre" at the lower right corner of the image and photographer's signature at the lower left.