Charles T. Scowen | British, active in 1870's to 1890's
Described as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, the island Ceylon was conquered by the English in 1796 and for many years was at the center of the spice and trade routes. Rich in ivory, cinnamon, coffee, tea, gems, and pearls the island became increasingly accessible during the nineteenth century. Its exotic scenery was well documented by commercial photographers throughout the nineteenth century.
One of the most accomplished and successful photographic firms working in Ceylon was Scowen and Co. Scowen and his team produced records for the tourist market, as well as for commerce and industry. These documents included images of plantation economies, railroad, native people, architectural city views, and ancient ruins. The photographs are of superior quality, representing the rich beauty and detail found only in an albumen print.
Scowen's photographs are represented in the collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum, Yale University Art Gallery, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
Described as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, the island Ceylon was conquered by the English in 1796 and for many years was at the center of the spice and trade routes. Rich in ivory, cinnamon, coffee, tea, gems, and pearls the island became increasingly accessible during the nineteenth century. Its exotic scenery was well documented by commercial photographers throughout the nineteenth century.
One of the most accomplished and successful photographic firms working in Ceylon was Scowen and Co. Scowen and his team produced records for the tourist market, as well as for commerce and industry. These documents included images of plantation economies, railroad, native people, architectural city views, and ancient ruins. The photographs are of superior quality, representing the rich beauty and detail found only in an albumen print.
Scowen's photographs are represented in the collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum, Yale University Art Gallery, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.