Noel Marie Paymal Lerebours Paintings

Noel Marie Paymal Lerebours was a French optician and engraver best known for his work in the field of optics and for pioneering the publishing of illustrated travel books that featured early photographic images. Born in 1807 in Paris, France, Lerebours began his career as an optician, establishing his own business in Paris. He was renowned for his skill in producing high-quality lenses and other optical instruments, which were essential for the burgeoning field of photography.

Lerebours' interest in optics soon led him to embrace the new art of photography. In the 1830s, he became one of the early adopters of the daguerreotype process, invented by Louis Daguerre. Lerebours' shop became a popular place for early photographers to purchase equipment, and he also provided services to process and develop photographic plates. His entrepreneurial spirit and technical expertise allowed him to make significant contributions to the early growth of photography in France.

In addition to his work with optics and photography, Lerebours is particularly remembered for his 'Excursions Daguerriennes,' which were travel books illustrated with images that originated as daguerreotypes. These books were among the first to use photographic images to illustrate scenes from around the world, effectively predating the modern travel guide. They included views of Europe, the Middle East, and other exotic locations, offering the 19th-century audience a visual encounter with places they might never have the opportunity to visit.

Lerebours continued to innovate in the field of photography and optical science until his death in 1873. His contributions to the development of photographic technology and his role in popularizing photographic images through his illustrated books left a lasting impact on the visual arts and the documentation of the world through the lens of photography.