One of Vilnius' most prominent photographers; member of the French Society of Photographers (1876-1885). Czechowicz came to Vilnius as an experienced photographer in the spring of 1865. He soon obtained the obligatory Governor-General's permit to photograph in the city and throughout the entire northwestern territory. Czechowicz operated a photo atelier in his own home on Botanikos St. in Vilnius from 1876-1888. He was known as a wonderful portraitist, but disliked this type of work, and was enchanted by the streets, squares, and environs of the city. During his most creative period (1871-1881), Czechowicz photographed the city, historical monuments, and surrounding districts. He was the first to photograph church and manor interiors; as the inititiator of a new era in documenting Vilnius architecture, he collected nearly 200 photographs of Vilnius and its environs. Albums of his photographs were published during his lifetime. J.Czechowicz was the first Vilnius photographic master to be recognized outside of Lithuania. His works were awarded silver medals in Moscow at exhibitions of the Russian Imperial Society of Lovers of Science, Anthropology, and Ethnography in 1872, and of Russian Industry and Art in 1882. His photographs were displayed in 1876 at the XIIIth Exhibition of the French Society of Photographers, in 1878 at the World Exhibition, and in 1992-1993 at an exhibition in Paris entitled La Lithuanie au tournant du siecle - Photographies de 1870 a 1930. |
Jozef Czechowicz (1817
or 1819-1888)
