Pierre Alban Hue De Fontenay was a French photographer born in 1845. He was a pioneer of photography, and his work is renowned for its technical excellence and artistic vision.
He began his career as a painter, but soon became interested in photography. He studied the art form under the tutelage of renowned photographer Gustave Le Gray, and quickly developed an eye for composition and lighting. His early works focused on landscapes and architecture, but he soon began to experiment with portraiture and still life photography.
Fontenay's work was highly sought after by the French elite, who commissioned him to take portraits of their families and estates. He also traveled extensively throughout Europe, capturing images of cities such as Paris, Rome, Venice, and Florence. His photographs were exhibited in galleries across Europe and America, where they were praised for their beauty and technical skill.
Fontenay's work has been featured in numerous books and exhibitions over the years, including a retrospective at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris in 2009. His photographs are now held in many public collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Fontenay died in 1921 at the age of 76. He left behind an impressive body of work that continues to inspire photographers today.