Printed: 2024-05-02
Brand Frères
Identity
Category
Partnership
Alternative name or descriptor
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Status
- Professional / Connected
Details
Life dates
Activity
1840 * - 1841 Bruxelles, Rue de l'Etuve, 1
Baptiste (° Brussels, 1798; + Brussels, 7.7.1862), Antoine (° Brussels, 4.6.1804; + Brussels, 22.3.1877), and Julien (° Brussels, July 1807; + Brussels, 15.10.1870), all recorded later as living at the Marché aux Herbes address. A fourth brother Marc (° Brussels, 7.6.1802) was not resident there. Originally Bran, and sometimes spelled Brandt. In 1834-1840, opticians and engineer-mechanics in Rue de l'Etuve. Additionally, metal engravers at the same address in 1841. In later advertisements, "firm founded in 1825". Photographers, dealers and pioneer daguerreotypists. Retailed daguerreotype apparatus in August 1840: cameras for 75 fr. and plates for 1 fr. 50c. Also first experiments reported at the same date: Brussels views of the "Palais de la Nation", "Hôtel de Ville" and "Maison du Roi", as well as a portrait in profile and even a genre scene. "Messrs Brant [sic] have managed to take a portrait that retraces very well a profile in detail with all facial features. But we have seen a print where they have gone further. Next to the staircase of the "Maison du Roi", three young boys can be found playing marbles; one shoots and the other two gaze at him. This group is drawn with the greatest exactness against a brightly lit background (Journal de la Belgique, 7.8.1840).
1841 * - 1861 / Bruxelles, Marché aux Herbes, 45<41-55> renumbered 113<57-61>
At the corner of Rue des Eperonniers. Brand frères, "engineer - opticians", opened here by early May 1841, succeeding Salomon, an optician from London. They already offered instruction in photography: "[We] stock Daguerreotypes for the same price as in Paris, and teach in two sessions how to use them with the greatest facility" (L'Indépendance Belge, 2.5.1841).
Daguerreotype studio opened on 10.3.1842, the first or second in Belgium. Leading Brussels studio throughout the 1840s. Forensic daguerreotypes ("mug shots") in Brussels prison on 30.3.1843, held by the Museum of Criminology at the Brussels "Palais de Justice".
Patent granted on 14.3.1845, effective on 30.11.1844, for "improvements to the photographic process for copying portraits and landscapes on paper instead of metal plates" [calotypes, using iodised paper that could be kept for several weeks]. Accelerator ("phototype water") in 1845. Appointed "opticians to the King" in 1847. "Messieurs Brand frères have just taken a Daguerreotype portrait of His Majesty King of the Belgians in the palace at Laeken. The portrait, by a new process, was taken in 10 seconds and is said to surpass the finest miniature" (Moniteur Belge, 20.9.1847).
1860 * - 1888 Bruxelles, Rue de la Madeleine, 54<60-61> then 32<62-88>
At this address, Marc, arriving from Brussels - Schaerbeek on 27.7.1865, Antoine, and Julien; also Marc's younger son Gustave (see that name), arriving from Brussels - Schaerbeek on 13.12.1864. Engineers, opticians and photographers to the King. The studios at Marché aux Herbes, 113 and Rue de la Madeleine, 54 transferred and merged at no. 32 at the end of 1861. In an advertisement of 1865, no. 23 figures, probably a printing error. "Brand J." in advertisements in 1883-1884 and in the 1887 directory. This is apparently Marc's elder son Joseph (° Brussels - Saint-Josse, 7.5.1832).
"A good stereoscope with 12 prints 8 francs. Supplementary collection of views of all countries - de luxe stereoscopes. Large panoramic apparatus containing 50 or 100 views on paper or on glass" (La Paix, 18.9.-1.10.1864). "Magic photography. Most curious invention. With a few drops of water anyone can produce a photograph instantly. 2 envelopes containing the wherewithal to produce 6 carte-de-visite size photographs for 1 fr. 50 c. (Organe de Namur, 29.4. - 20.5.1866).
1867 - 1872 Ostende, Rue de la Chapelle, 45
1870 - 1880 Anvers, Rempart Sainte-Catherine, 14
Opticians to the King. Branch of the Brussels firm.
1879 - 1880 Ostende, Rue de Flandre, 16
Optician. Branch of the Brussels firm.
1887 * - 1895 Bruxelles, Rue Royale, 33 or 23c
Successor: Brand S.
Cameras and supplies. Opening announced for 24.12.1887. Marc lived at this address from 19.4.1888 and is listed in the directories from 1894 onwards.
Baptiste (° Brussels, 1798; + Brussels, 7.7.1862), Antoine (° Brussels, 4.6.1804; + Brussels, 22.3.1877), and Julien (° Brussels, July 1807; + Brussels, 15.10.1870), all recorded later as living at the Marché aux Herbes address. A fourth brother Marc (° Brussels, 7.6.1802) was not resident there. Originally Bran, and sometimes spelled Brandt. In 1834-1840, opticians and engineer-mechanics in Rue de l'Etuve. Additionally, metal engravers at the same address in 1841. In later advertisements, "firm founded in 1825". Photographers, dealers and pioneer daguerreotypists. Retailed daguerreotype apparatus in August 1840: cameras for 75 fr. and plates for 1 fr. 50c. Also first experiments reported at the same date: Brussels views of the "Palais de la Nation", "Hôtel de Ville" and "Maison du Roi", as well as a portrait in profile and even a genre scene. "Messrs Brant [sic] have managed to take a portrait that retraces very well a profile in detail with all facial features. But we have seen a print where they have gone further. Next to the staircase of the "Maison du Roi", three young boys can be found playing marbles; one shoots and the other two gaze at him. This group is drawn with the greatest exactness against a brightly lit background (Journal de la Belgique, 7.8.1840).
1841 * - 1861 / Bruxelles, Marché aux Herbes, 45<41-55> renumbered 113<57-61>
At the corner of Rue des Eperonniers. Brand frères, "engineer - opticians", opened here by early May 1841, succeeding Salomon, an optician from London. They already offered instruction in photography: "[We] stock Daguerreotypes for the same price as in Paris, and teach in two sessions how to use them with the greatest facility" (L'Indépendance Belge, 2.5.1841).
Daguerreotype studio opened on 10.3.1842, the first or second in Belgium. Leading Brussels studio throughout the 1840s. Forensic daguerreotypes ("mug shots") in Brussels prison on 30.3.1843, held by the Museum of Criminology at the Brussels "Palais de Justice".
Patent granted on 14.3.1845, effective on 30.11.1844, for "improvements to the photographic process for copying portraits and landscapes on paper instead of metal plates" [calotypes, using iodised paper that could be kept for several weeks]. Accelerator ("phototype water") in 1845. Appointed "opticians to the King" in 1847. "Messieurs Brand frères have just taken a Daguerreotype portrait of His Majesty King of the Belgians in the palace at Laeken. The portrait, by a new process, was taken in 10 seconds and is said to surpass the finest miniature" (Moniteur Belge, 20.9.1847).
1860 * - 1888 Bruxelles, Rue de la Madeleine, 54<60-61> then 32<62-88>
At this address, Marc, arriving from Brussels - Schaerbeek on 27.7.1865, Antoine, and Julien; also Marc's younger son Gustave (see that name), arriving from Brussels - Schaerbeek on 13.12.1864. Engineers, opticians and photographers to the King. The studios at Marché aux Herbes, 113 and Rue de la Madeleine, 54 transferred and merged at no. 32 at the end of 1861. In an advertisement of 1865, no. 23 figures, probably a printing error. "Brand J." in advertisements in 1883-1884 and in the 1887 directory. This is apparently Marc's elder son Joseph (° Brussels - Saint-Josse, 7.5.1832).
"A good stereoscope with 12 prints 8 francs. Supplementary collection of views of all countries - de luxe stereoscopes. Large panoramic apparatus containing 50 or 100 views on paper or on glass" (La Paix, 18.9.-1.10.1864). "Magic photography. Most curious invention. With a few drops of water anyone can produce a photograph instantly. 2 envelopes containing the wherewithal to produce 6 carte-de-visite size photographs for 1 fr. 50 c. (Organe de Namur, 29.4. - 20.5.1866).
1867 - 1872 Ostende, Rue de la Chapelle, 45
1870 - 1880 Anvers, Rempart Sainte-Catherine, 14
Opticians to the King. Branch of the Brussels firm.
1879 - 1880 Ostende, Rue de Flandre, 16
Optician. Branch of the Brussels firm.
1887 * - 1895 Bruxelles, Rue Royale, 33 or 23c
Successor: Brand S.
Cameras and supplies. Opening announced for 24.12.1887. Marc lived at this address from 19.4.1888 and is listed in the directories from 1894 onwards.
Locations
1840 * - 1841 Bruxelles, Rue de l'Etuve, 1
1841 * - 1861 / Bruxelles, Marché aux Herbes, 45<41-55> renumbered 113<57-61>
1860 * - 1888 Bruxelles, Rue de la Madeleine, 54<60-61> then 32<62-88>
1867 - 1872 Ostende, Rue de la Chapelle, 45
1870 - 1880 Anvers, Rempart Sainte-Catherine, 14
1879 - 1880 Ostende, Rue de Flandre, 16
1887 * - 1895 Bruxelles, Rue Royale, 33 or 23c
1841 * - 1861 / Bruxelles, Marché aux Herbes, 45<41-55> renumbered 113<57-61>
1860 * - 1888 Bruxelles, Rue de la Madeleine, 54<60-61> then 32<62-88>
1867 - 1872 Ostende, Rue de la Chapelle, 45
1870 - 1880 Anvers, Rempart Sainte-Catherine, 14
1879 - 1880 Ostende, Rue de Flandre, 16
1887 * - 1895 Bruxelles, Rue Royale, 33 or 23c
Exhibitions
Genres / subject matter
Techniques
Bibliography/Webography
JOSEPH, Steven F. & SCHWILDEN, Tristan. A l'aube de la photographie en Belgique: Guillaume Claine (1811-1869) et son cercle. Bruxelles, 1991, p. 14.
Context
Affiliations
Management
Record source
DIRECTORY_1997#431
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation/revision
SFJ revised 27.6.2017 & 5.2.2018; MCC revised 21.5.2018; SFJ revised 2.1.2019 & 26.3.2020; MCC revised 4.1.2019 & 8.3.2020; SFJ revised 26.4.2020 & 19.5.2020 based on information supplied by M. Demaeght; MD revised 5.6.2023 based on information supplied by Ronny Van Troostenberghe; MD revised 16.10.2020, 8.4.2022 & 1.8.2023