Frederick Hollyer self-portrait c. 1890

Frederick Hollyer (1838-1933) was an English photographer and engraver, best known for his contributions to Victorian photography. He was born on 20 June 1838 in London, England, and lived through a period of significant technological and artistic developments in photography. Hollyer initially trained as an engraver, but later switched to photography. He became associated with the Pictorialist movement, which sought to elevate photography to the status of fine art. Pictorialist photographers sought to create images that were more than mere representations of reality, often using soft focus, alternative printing techniques and manipulated processes to achieve a more painterly or atmospheric quality in their photographs. One of Hollyer's most notable achievements was his collaboration with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of English artists influenced by the art and literature of the 19th century. He photographed many of their works, helping to popularise and preserve images of Pre-Raphaelite paintings and drawings. Hollyer was also a skilled portrait photographer, capturing images of notable figures of his time, including writers, artists and intellectuals. His work reflects the stylistic and aesthetic preferences of the Victorian era. Frederick Hollyer continued his photographic career well into the early 20th century. He died on 21 November 1933, leaving behind a body of work that provides valuable insights into the history of photography and the artistic movements of his time.