Abdullah Frères facts for kids

Trademark of the Abdullah Brothers. It shows a special symbol, like a royal signature, meaning they had the Sultan's support.

The Abdullah Frères (which means "Abdullah Brothers" in French) were three brothers from the Ottoman Empire. They were of Armenian background and became very famous photographers. Their names were Viçen Abdullahyan (1820–1902), Hovsep Abdullahyan (1830–1908), and Kevork Abdullahyan (1839–1918). They took amazing pictures of beautiful places and important people, including the Ottoman rulers called sultans. Most of their photography happened in the Ottoman Empire, which was a large empire that existed a long time ago.

Viçen, the oldest brother, started his photography journey by making old photos look better for another photographer. In 1858, his younger brother Kevork finished his studies and joined him. Together with their other brother, Hovsep, they decided to open their own photography studio. They called it the Abdullah Frères.

In 1867, they moved their studio to a better spot in a lively area called Pera. The Abdullah Frères quickly became some of the most well-known photographers in the entire Ottoman Empire.

Official Photographers of the Sultan

In 1863, something very special happened. The ruler of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Abdulaziz, officially named the Abdullah Frères as his court photographers. This meant they were the official photographers for the Sultan and his family! They were also called "Outstanding Artists of the City." They proudly used this title until their studio closed in 1899.

Expanding Their Work

The brothers' fame grew so much that in 1886, they were asked to open another studio. This new studio was in Cairo, Egypt, at the request of the Egyptian ruler, known as the Khedive.

What They Photographed

During their long careers, the Abdullah Frères captured many important moments and people.

• They photographed several Ottoman sultans.
• They took pictures of important Ottoman leaders and officials.
• They also photographed famous international visitors, like the American writer Mark Twain.
• Besides people, they took many stunning pictures of scenic views and everyday life across the Ottoman Empire.

Gallery

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  Mark Twain. (1867)

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  Ibrahim Edhem Pasha. (around 1877)

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  Osman Nuri Pasha. (around 1895)

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  View of Galata Bridge.

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  Sultan Abdulaziz.

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  Sultan Abdulmecid (photo of a painting).

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  Group of Circassian men with Ottoman Official.

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  A ceremony in Yıldız Hamidiye Mosque, Constantinople.

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  Portrait of the Romanian diplomat and memoirist Trandafir G. Djuvara.

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  Photograph of Tawfiq Pasha.

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  Bell of the Haghia Sophia.

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  The sortie of the First Mobile Artillery Bodyguard Brigade from the barracks

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  Street in Galata.

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  Mekteb-i Aşiret-i Humayun (Imperial Tribal School)

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  A dock in Büyükdere, Sarıyer, Istanbul.

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  The Selamlik (Sultan's procession to the mosque) at the Hamidiye Camii (mosque) on Friday

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  Georgian man (1870)

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  Turkish woman, full-length portrait, seated, facing front, holding parasol.

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  Students of Mekteb-i Aşiret-i Humayun (Imperial Tribal School)

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  Rumelihisarı İskelesi

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  The Port from the Galata Tower

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  Holiday Workship at the Sinan Pasha Mosque

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  Qerandiqo Berzeg, last leader of Circassia