<b>1892 * - 1897 Tournai, Rue du Viaduc, 67</b> Jules Charles, ° 29.7.1869; + 4.8.1956. Pupil of the Tournai Academy and of the "Ecole des beaux-arts" in Brussels. First portraits in 1888. He opened a studio in 1892 (another source states 1888). Continued to paint and sketch, exhibiting his work at the annual exhibitions of the "Cercle artistique de Tournai" from 1892 to 1898. <b>1899 - 1914 > Tournai, Rue Royale, 23</b> Studio transferred to this address on 1.2.1899, his residence since 1897. Messiaen made a prolific record of daily life in Tournai. Forensic photographer for the public prosecutor's office from at the latest 1913 onwards. Messiaen's wife was a confectioner at the same address. Messiaen made a large number of views of Tournai, most of which were destroyed by bombing in 1940. His sons Edmond and Séverin were also photographers in Tournai. Messiaen remained active as a photographer until 1934, to be followed by his son Edmond (° Tournai, 22.7.1896; + La Ferté Macé [Orne,F], 22.7.1955). Edmond Messiaen compiled a collection of 4 500 photographs taken by family members, many dating from the late nineteenth century. Bound in twelve volumes, the collection is now held and exploited by the "Archives Iconographiques du Tournaisis".