Alexander Bassano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Bassano
|
|
|---|---|
Self portrait, c. 1890s
|
|
| Born |
Alessandro Bassano
1 May 1829 London, England
|
| Died | 21 October 1913 (aged 84) West Acton, London, England
|
| Occupation | Photographer |
| Spouse(s) |
Adelaide Lancaster
(m. 1850; died 1906) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Louisa Bassano (sister) |
Alexander Bassano (born May 10, 1829 – died October 21, 1913) was a famous English photographer. He was known for taking pictures of important people. These included members of the royal family and other high society figures in Victorian London. Bassano also took photos of Queen Victoria. One of his most famous pictures is of Earl Kitchener. This photo was used in the well-known Lord Kitchener Wants You poster. It helped recruit soldiers during the First World War.
Contents
Life of a Famous Photographer
Alexander Bassano was born Alessandro Bassano. He was the second youngest child in his family. His father, Clemente Bassano, was from Italy. He worked as a fishmonger and later as a warehouseman in London. Alexander's mother, Elizabeth Browne, was English. Later, Alexander changed his first name to the English version.
Early Training and Studios
Bassano learned about art from artists Augustus Egg and William Beverley. He opened his first photography studio in 1850. It was located on Regent Street in London. Over the years, his studio moved several times. It was on Piccadilly from 1859 to 1863. Then it moved to Pall Mall. In 1877, it found a home at 25 Old Bond Street. There was also a Bassano studio in Brighton from 1893 to 1899.
Inside the Studio
The Old Bond Street studio was very impressive. It had many photographic prints and sculptures. It was also large enough for a special 80-foot background scene. This scene could be rolled to show different outdoor views or fancy court settings. Bassano took portraits of many famous people. These included Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone. He also photographed monarchs like Queen Victoria and Cetshwayo kaMpande, a Zulu king.
The Kitchener Poster
One of Bassano's most famous photos was of Lord Kitchener. This picture was used for the famous First World war recruiting poster. The poster said Your Country Needs You. It encouraged many people to join the army. Bassano stopped working at the studio around 1903. The studio was then updated and renamed "Bassano Ltd, Royal Photographers."
Studio Changes Over Time
The studio moved again in 1921. An article in Lady's Pictorial magazine wrote about this big move. It said that about a million photo negatives had to be moved. These were stored in the cellars of the old building. They were all carefully numbered. The negatives were moved to the new location at 38 Dover Street. In 1964, the company became "Bassano and Vandyk." The next year, it joined with another photography company called Elliott & Fry. This company had been around since 1863. In 1977, the business changed its name to "Industrial Photographic."
Where to See His Work
Today, over 40,000 negatives from the Bassano Studios are kept safe. Many of these were taken by Alexander Bassano himself. They are held at the National Portrait Gallery in London. The Museum of London also has many of his fashion-related photographs. In 2013, the National Portrait Gallery had a special exhibit. It was called Alexander Bassano: Victorian Photographer. This exhibit celebrated his work 100 years after his death.
Family Life
Alexander Bassano married Adelaide Rose Ainslie Lancaster in 1850. They had three children. Their son was named Clement George Alexander. Their two daughters were Adelaide Fanny Louise and Camilla Teresa, who was also called 'Lily'. You can see portraits of his wife and children at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Alexander's sister, Louisa Bassano, was also famous. She was a well-known singer and teacher.
