Charles Kroehle was a photographer of German descent who made significant contributions to the documentation of the Peruvian Amazon region during the late 19th century. Born in 1862, Kroehle began his career in photography at a relatively young age and eventually moved to Peru, where he established himself as a prominent figure in the field.
Kroehle's work in Peru began when he joined the Geographic Society of Lima. His photographic endeavors took him deep into the Amazon jungle, where he captured images of indigenous peoples, landscapes, and the effects of the rubber boom, which was dramatically transforming the region. Kroehle's photographs are historically valuable, as they provide a visual record of the Amazonian environment and its inhabitants before the widespread disruption caused by industrial exploitation.
Tragically, Kroehle's life and career were cut short when he died in 1902, at the age of 40. The exact circumstances of his death remain somewhat mysterious, but it is believed he succumbed to an illness contracted during one of his expeditions into the Amazon. Despite his premature death, Charles Kroehle's legacy lives on through his photographs, which continue to be appreciated for their historical significance and their contribution to the understanding of the Peruvian Amazon during a time of intense change.