(c) 2015 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

Pascal Sébah

Turkish, 1823 - 1886

BiographySébah's date of birth, place of birth and place of death are unknown. He was a commercial photographer who opened a studio in Constantinople in 1868 and specialized in photos for tourists. Eventually Sébah entered into a partnership with Joaillier. Sébah photographed Egypt extensively and also was associated with the Société française de photographie.

Sébah was a commercial photographer who opened his first studio in Istanbul in 1857. He relocated to Cairo in 1873. After Pascal Sébah’s death on 15 June 1886, the studio was managed by his brother Cosmi, until he was joined by Pascal’s son Jean (then 16) in 1888; Jean took a partner Policarpe Joaillier, and the business continued as Sébah & Joaillier. Some images by Jean are signed "J.P. Sébah", joining the son’s initial to the father’s (it is unclear whether this was also done retrospectively on Pascal’s negatives); others are signed Sébah & Joaillier. (ULAN, accessed 9/10/21)

Since Sébah is described in ULAN as Turkish, I am entering his birth place as Turkey. E. Reluga 9/10/2021

Person TypeIndividual

Last Updated8/7/24

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