Olympe Aguado de las Marismas

Olympe Aguado de las Marismas was a photographer active across a notably concentrated period between 1856 and 1860. The artist’s output focused heavily on portraiture and social documentary, capturing the domestic and imperial milieu of mid-19th century France.

Eight photographs representing their work are currently preserved in institutional collections, confirming the artist's historical significance within the early photographic medium. These museum-quality works are held in the collections of major American institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.

Key documented works demonstrate a range of subject matter, from informal group portraits, such as Louis Robert and Olympe Aguado and [The Artist, His Mother, and Friends in Fishing Garb], to genre scenes like Card Players. Aguado also captured significant documentary moments, notably Compiègne, Présentation du Prince Impérial. As a result of their age and institutional housing, certain Olympe Aguado de las Marismas prints and photographic images have entered the public domain, increasing access to his brief but important period of activity.