Napoleon Sarony
(1821-1896), PhotographerArtist associated with 57 portraits
Canadian-born Sarony moved to New York in 1836 and worked as a lithographer for Nathaniel Currier until he established his own firm in 1843. Originally self-taught, in 1858 he went to Europe for artistic training. In 1864 he apprenticed himself to his brother, Oliver Sarony, a noted photographer in Scarborough. Within a year he went to Birmingham and partnered with R. W. Thrupp and Martin Laroche. Sarony returned to New York in 1866 and opened a studio on Broadway. He became one of the most famous photographers in America, specialising in photographing actors and actresses. He was particularly noted for the unconventional poses and animated expression he elicited from his sitters.
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen print, circa 1873-1874
NPG P497
by Thomas Edward Gaunt, after a photograph by Napoleon Sarony
chalk, 1880
NPG 1781b
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen panel card, 1882
NPG P25
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen cabinet card, 1883
NPG P1133
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen print, late 1880s-early 1890s
NPG P1700(10b)
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen print, 1866
NPG x197134
Adelaide Ristori as Mary Stuart in 'Mary Stuart'
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1868
NPG x38884
Joseph Jefferson as Rip van Winkle in 'Rip van Winkle'
by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company, after Napoleon Sarony
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s (1869)
NPG Ax18184
Joseph Jefferson as Rip van Winkle in 'Rip van Winkle'
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s (1869)
NPG Ax18185
Joseph Jefferson as Rip van Winkle in 'Rip van Winkle'
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s (1869)
NPG Ax18186
Joseph Jefferson as Rip van Winkle in 'Rip van Winkle'
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen cabinet card, 1870s (1869)
NPG x18859
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s
NPG Ax25076
by Simpson & Co, after Napoleon Sarony
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s
NPG Ax39854
Charles Albert Fechter as Hamlet in 'Hamlet'
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s
NPG x11885
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s
NPG x14
probably by Napoleon Sarony
albumen cabinet card, 1870s
NPG x19003
after Napoleon Sarony
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s-1880s
NPG x27586
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen cabinet card, early 1870s
NPG x27748
by Napoleon Sarony
albumen cabinet card, 1870s
NPG x197364
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.