Date of use : 1907 France

Photographie Lortet: A Historic Paris Studio and Photography Legacy

Photographie Lortet was a well-established photography studio located at 55 Rue Cler in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Operated by the Lortet family for three generations, the studio held a significant place in the Parisian photography scene from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. The founder, Jean-Louis Lortet, was born in 1819 and opened his photography studio in 1864 on Rue Cler, which was known as Rue de l'Église until August 24 of that year.

He ran the studio alone for nearly 25 years and made substantial contributions to the visual memory of Paris before passing away on June 10, 1897, at the age of 77.

Jean-Louis's brother, Jacques-Dorothée Lortet, originally worked as a carpenter but later turned to photography under his brother's influence. In the birth record of his daughter Victorine, born in 1866, his profession was listed as photographer. Sadly, Jacques-Dorothée passed away in 1873 at the age of 53.

The family tradition continued with Jean-Louis Lortet's nephew, also named Jean-Louis, who left his teaching career to take over the studio. His son, Jacques Lortet, later followed in his father's footsteps. After completing his military service between 1921 and 1923, Jacques began working alongside his father and eventually became the assistant secretary of the French Union of Photography and Its Applications in 1934.

Photographie Lortet gained recognition not only in Paris but also internationally. The studio was awarded a gold medal at the France-Russia Exhibition in 1896, marking its place on the international stage. Throughout its operation, the studio became a prominent photography center in Paris, known especially for producing portraits and artistic photographs.

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