Rare, 1890s, Antique Portrait Photo, Anastasios Gaziadis, Piraeus Greece, Royal Court Photographer

Description

A rare and original vintage black & white portrait photograph by the acclaimed Greek photographer Anastasios Gaziadis (1853–1931), dating from the 1890s.

This beautifully preserved image captures a Greek clergyman, rendered with Gaziadis’ characteristic precision and sensitivity to light — hallmarks of his early studio work in Piraeus, Greece.

Item Details

• Photographer: Anastasios Gaziadis

• Date: circa 1890s

• Subject: Clergyman

• Photo Size: 13 cm × 19.5 cm

• Mount Size: 14 cm × 21.5 cm

• Medium: Original black & white photograph

• Condition: Very good antique condition, minor signs of age (please refer to photos for details)

 

About the Photographer

Anastasios Gaziadis (1853–1931) was one of the pioneers of Greek photography. Born in Constantinople, he initially studied pharmacy before devoting his life to photography.

In 1887, he established his own studio in Themistokleous Square, Piraeus, quickly gaining renown for his artistic portraits and technical excellence. His clientele included travelers, sailors, and Athenian elites, who sought his meticulous approach and fine composition.

Gaziadis became the first in Greece to specialize in advertising photography, capturing buildings, ships, and commercial products with remarkable clarity. He earned the prestigious title of Royal Court Photographer for his coverage of the 1896 Athens Olympic Games, notably photographing Spyros Louis, the winner of the first modern Olympic Marathon.

Today, his works are considered significant artifacts of Greek visual history, reflecting the country’s transition from the 19th to the 20th century.

 

Why Collect This Photograph

• Authentic 19th-century Greek studio portrait

• Created by a Royal Court Photographer of the early modern Olympic Games

• Rare surviving example of Gaziadis’ portraiture work

• A piece of Greek and Mediterranean photographic history

A museum-worthy collectible for enthusiasts of early photography, Hellenic history, or 19th-century portraiture.

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