Camille Silvy: A Photographer of Modern Life

Camille Silvy (1834-1910) enjoyed a major reputation as a photographer in Paris and London in the period 1858-68. He was a photographer of modern life, in the sense introduced by his contemporary, Charles Baudelaire. Silvy's best-known work, 'River Scene, France' (1858), is a tableau of modern leisure - including working class leisure - on the outskirts of town. In addition, Silvy created a series of 'Studies on Light' in London in 1860. These studies of fog and twilight include, arguably, the first use of blur as a creative effect in the history of photography. Silvy redefined still life in a work which includes the Times newspaper and a mass-produced sauce bottle. However, Silvy's modernity was expressed in many other ways. He was highly entrepreneurial: he ran his studio as a portrait factory, experimented with new techniques and pioneered the reproduction of works of art and wartime battlefields.

As the University continues to maintain and develop its profile as a global leader in arts research, a series of Professorial Platform lectures was launched in 2008.

The Platforms are an opportunity for University colleagues and associates, as well as invited members of the public, to learn more about the research undertaken in the University. The Platforms enable Professors to highlight their field of interest and the University, in turn, to recognise and commemorate their successes to date.

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