The earliest photographs of Maya archaeological sites

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

There was still so much to discover on this planet in the middle of the nineteenth century! Explorers and scientists visited the farthest corners. To share their knowledge, they now have at their disposal a wonderful tool: photography.

From 1857 to 1861, Désiré Charnay is managing an expedition to the Yucatan as a mission for the French government. He is passionate about the remains of cities and palaces of the Mayas, and wants to publicize the outstanding monuments of Mitla, Palenque, Izamal, Chichen Itza and Uxmal.

His photographs, in addition to their top documentary interest, are technical feats. Photography was born in Europe, a continent with a temperate climate. Already, the first photographers in Egypt had problems with the too dry climate. In eastern Mexico, it is even worse. Moist heat is not conducive to the fragile collodion preparations. But the passion for his subject makes Charnay achieve perfection.

Like many photographers-scientists of his time, he practices large size format. Back in France, he publishes in 1862 an album of 47 albumen prints of sizes ranging between 27x33 and 34x42 cm, showing these monuments surrounded by lush vegetation.

A copy will be auctioned at Swann in New York on February 19. What we can see in the video on the website of the auction house is in very good condition. This treasure has no estimate price ... unless requested by customers to the auction house. The bids will start at $ 45 K. I expect a result with six digits.

Charnay won for his writings the patronage of Viollet-le-Duc, a pioneer (I can even say the inventor) of historic preservation. This is the best reference you can imagine.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The result, K $ 60 fees included, is much lower than I had imagined.

There may be several reasons for this. The album of Charnay, in good condition, may be less rare than I thought. Or the subject is too unusual, fans prefer the Mediterranean tour or the Rocky Mountains.

I continue to believe that this lot was exceptional.