Samuel Bourne

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For other people with the same name, see Samuel Bourn.

Samuel Bourne
Born30 October 1834
Staffordshire, England
Died24 April 1912
OccupationPhotographer
StyleLandscapes, Ethnographic Portraits

Samuel Bourne (30 October 1834 – 24 April 1912)[1] was a British photographer known for his prolific seven years' work in India, from 1863 to 1870.[2] Together with Charles Shepherd, he set up Bourne & Shepherd first in Shimla in 1863 and later in Kolkata (Calcutta); the company closed in June 2016.[3][4][5]

Early life and education

Samuel Bourne was born on 30 October 1834, at Napley Heath, near Mucklestone, on the Staffordshire and Shropshire border to Thomas Bourne (b. 1804) and his wife Harriet née Dobson (b. 1802).[6][7] After being educated by a clergyman near Fairburn, he secured a job with Moore and Robinson's Bank, Nottingham in 1855. His amateur photographic activities started at about this time and he quickly became an accomplished landscape photographer, soon lecturing on photography and contributing technical articles to several photographic journals.

In 1858, Bourne made a photographic tour of the

Calcutta
early in 1863.

Work in India

He initially set up in partnership with an already established Calcutta photographer, William Howard. They moved up to Simla, where they established a new studio 'Howard & Bourne', to be joined in 1864 by Charles Shepherd, to form 'Howard, Bourne & Shepherd'. By 1866, after the departure of Howard, it became 'Bourne & Shepherd', which became the premier photographic studio in India, and until it closed in June 2016[8] was perhaps the world's oldest photographic business.[citation needed] Charles Shepherd evidently remained in Simla, to carry out the commercial and portrait studio work, and to supervise the printing and marketing of Bourne's landscape and architectural studies, whilst Bourne was away travelling around the sub-continent.

Bourne spent six extremely productive years in India, and by the time he returned to England in January 1871, he had made approximately 2,200 fine images of the landscape and architecture of India and the Himalayas. Working primarily with a 10x12 inch plate camera, and using the complicated and laborious Wet Plate Collodion process, the impressive body of work he produced was always of superb technical quality and often of artistic brilliance.[citation needed] His ability to create superb photographs whilst travelling in the remotest areas of the Himalayas and working under the most exacting physical conditions, places him firmly amongst the very finest of nineteenth century travel photographers.[citation needed]

On 29 July 1863, he left Simla on the first of his three major Himalayan photographic expeditions. With a retinue of some 30 porters to carry his equipment, he travelled across the Simla Hills to Chini, in the Valley of the

Sutlej River
, 160 miles north-east of Simla, and spent some time photographing in the Chini-Sutlej River area, before heading up to the borders of Spiti, and returning to Simla on 12 October 1863, with 147 fine negatives.

In the following year, Bourne set out on another major trip, this time a nine-month trip to

Baramula, Murree, Delhi and Cawnpore (now Kanpur
) before arriving in Lucknow on Christmas Eve 1864.

Naini Tal, and he arrived back in Simla
, again in time for Christmas! He wrote extensively about his travels in the Himalayas (one of the very few photographers in India to do so), in a long series of letters, which appeared in The British Journal of Photography, between 1863 and 1870.

The studio business prospered, and in 1866, they opened a second branch in

Calcutta, where they ran a portrait studio, and their work was widely retailed throughout the subcontinent by agents and in Britain through wholesale distributors.[9] In 1867 he went briefly back to England, in order to marry Mary Tolley, daughter of a wealthy Nottingham businessman; and they both returned to India again later that year, where he continued to travel around the country, producing some 500 more fine images.[citation needed] He departed Bombay for England permanently in November 1870. His work as travelling landscape and architectural photographer for Bourne & Shepherd studios was taken over by Colin Murray, who continued taking fine images of India, in a very similar style, and later went on to take over the management of the business.[citation needed
]

Some time shortly after his return to England, he sold off his interests in Bourne and Shepherd studios, and from then on, had nothing more to do with commercial photography; however his archive of some 2,200 glass plate negatives remained with the studio, and were constantly re-printed and sold over the following 140 years, until their eventual destruction in a Calcutta fire on 6 February 1991.

Return to England

Bourne settled back in Nottingham, where he founded a cotton-doubling business, in partnership with his brother-in-law J.B. Tolley. The business prospered, and Bourne become a local magistrate. Although continuing to photograph as a relaxation, and belonging to the local Photographic Society, much of his creative energy from this time onwards was devoted to watercolour. He died in Nottingham on 24 April 1912.

Bourne is justly regarded as one of the finest landscape and travel photographers of 19th-century India; combining a fine eye for composition with high technical expertise.[citation needed]

Collections

Bourne's work is held in the permanent collections of several museums, including the

National Galleries of Scotland,[22] and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.[23]

Gallery

  • Photograph of the Taj Mahal. Samuel Bourne, 1860s.
    Photograph of the Taj Mahal. Samuel Bourne, 1860s.
  • Photograph of the Taj Mahal from the river. Samuel Bourne, 1860.
    Photograph of the Taj Mahal from the river. Samuel Bourne, 1860.
  • Gateway to the Hooseinabad Bazaar in Lucknow, 1863–66 V&A Museum no. 7-1972
    Gateway to the Hooseinabad Bazaar in Lucknow, 1863–66 V&A Museum no. 7-1972
  • Haridwar from opposite bank of the Ganges, 1866.
    Haridwar from opposite bank of the Ganges, 1866.
  • Photograph of Ramnath temple of Newalipore from Views of Calcutta and Barrackpore, taken by Samuel Bourne.
    Photograph of Ramnath temple of Newalipore from Views of Calcutta and Barrackpore, taken by Samuel Bourne.
  • Samuel Bourne, "Plate Figures on the Linga Chapel. Elephanta," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Plate Figures on the Linga Chapel. Elephanta," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Palace & Tank. Built by Rajah Bulman Singh. Goverdhun 1311]," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Palace & Tank. Built by Rajah Bulman Singh. Goverdhun 1311]," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "The Motee Musjid. Delhi. 1351," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "The Motee Musjid. Delhi. 1351," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "The Palace. Delhi. Interior of Dewan-i-Kass. 1350," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "The Palace. Delhi. Interior of Dewan-i-Kass. 1350," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Mausoleum of Prince Etmad-Dowlah. Agra. 1232," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Mausoleum of Prince Etmad-Dowlah. Agra. 1232," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "The Mermaid Gate, Kaiser Bagh. Lucknow, 1041," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "The Mermaid Gate, Kaiser Bagh. Lucknow, 1041," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Interior of Zenana in Fort. Agra, 1224," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Interior of Zenana in Fort. Agra, 1224," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "The Taj from Fountain. Agra," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "The Taj from Fountain. Agra," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "The Fort. Delhi Gate. Agra," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "The Fort. Delhi Gate. Agra," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Memorial Well, Marble Statue by Marochetti. Cawnpore, 1206," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Memorial Well, Marble Statue by Marochetti. Cawnpore, 1206," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Upper Portion of the Palace, Goverdhun, 1312," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Upper Portion of the Palace, Goverdhun, 1312," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Front of the Motee Musjid, Agra, 1220," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Front of the Motee Musjid, Agra, 1220," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Burning Ghat, Benares, 1169," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Burning Ghat, Benares, 1169," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Gate of the Taj. Bagh View. Agra. 1014," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Gate of the Taj. Bagh View. Agra. 1014," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 22," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 22," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 21," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 21," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 18," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 18," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 17," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 17," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 15," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 15," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 14," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 14," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 12," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 12," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 11," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 11," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 9," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 9," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 8," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 8," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 5," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 5," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
  • Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 3," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet
    Samuel Bourne, "Views of India, Plate 3," 1863–1869, photograph mounted on cardboard sheet

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Photographs of India. circa 1862 – circa 1872 – Samuel Bourne Biography Cambridge University Library.
  2. ISBN 0-85945-001-5
    . Page 37.
  3. ^ http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/Oldest-running-studio-in-the-world-shuts-down/article14433884ece[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Bourne & Shepherd, Esplanade , Kolkata, India – Image[permanent dead link] Flickr
  5. Indian Express
    , 19 July 2007.
  6. ^ England, Staffordshire Parish Register, Mucklestone, St Mary (1834), #1048
  7. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/38594. Retrieved November 11, 2016. (Subscription or UK public library membership
    required.)
  8. ^ "Oldest running photo studio in the world shuts down". The Hindu. June 19, 2016.
  9. National Portrait Gallery
    .
  10. ^ "Charles Shepherd | Princeton University Art Museum". artmuseum.princeton.edu. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  11. ^ Harvard. "From the Harvard Art Museums' collections Humayun's tomb, Delhi, Samuel Bourne no. 1362". harvardartmuseums.org. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  12. ^ "Samuel Bourne in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC". National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Bridge, India". dia.org. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  14. ^ "City with River in Middle Ground". clarkart.edu. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  15. ^ "Loading... | Collections Online – Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  16. ^ "Samuel Bourne. Poplar Avenue, from the Middle, Kashmir. 1864 | MoMA". The Museum of Modern Art. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  17. ^ "Brooklyn Museum". brooklynmuseum.org. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  18. ^ Museum, Victoria and Albert. "Village of Sungnam, Hungrung Pass, India | Bourne, Samuel | V&A Explore The Collections". Victoria and Albert Museum: Explore the Collections. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  19. ^ "Samuel Bourne". Metropolitan Museum of Art. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  20. ^ "Exchange: The Fort -Agra- Palace of Akhar (marble)/ Taj in distance". exchange.umma.umich.edu. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  21. ^ "Samuel Bourne".
  22. ^ "Samuel Bourne". nationalgalleries.org. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  23. ^ "Bourne, Samuel". SFMOMA. Retrieved March 15, 2021.

References

External links

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