Piazza San Marco, Venice, Bisson Freres Photo

The Freres Bisson were French photographers. The brothers, Louis-Auguste and Auguste-Rosalie Bisson, were born in Normandy in 1814 and 1826 respectively. They began their careers as painters, but soon turned to photography and became pioneers in this field. The Bisson brothers are best known for their panoramic photographs of landscapes, cities and historical sites. They used a large-format camera to capture sweeping vistas, often from high vantage points. Their images were highly detailed and beautifully composed, demonstrating their mastery of the medium. In 1860, the Bisson brothers were commissioned by Napoleon III to photograph the newly completed Mont Blanc railway. This project resulted in some of their most famous images, including a stunning panorama of the mountain range. The Freres Bisson were among the most important photographers of their time, and their work continues to be celebrated for its technical excellence and artistic beauty.