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• Issue #278
• Article

By Alex Novak, Michael Diemar and Michael Pritchard

Paula and Robert Hershkowitz (Courtesy Hershkowitz family)

Robert Hershkowitz, one of the most preeminent and knowledgeable 19th-century photography dealers and scholars, passed away on Friday, March 27th at the age of 81.

Originally from New York, he and his wife Paula settled in England in 1975. Known for his great eye, his career spanned over 50 years. In 1980, he presented The British Photographer Abroad: The First Thirty Years, with accompanying book, at the Camden Art Centre in London. In 1993, he co-published Félix Teynard: Calotypes of Egypt: A Catalogue Raisonné. In 2010, he published the book Masterworks of European Photography. He presented two exhibitions at Photo London, “The Essential Fenton” in 2019, and “The Magic Art of French Calotype. Paper Negative Photography 1846-1860” in 2024. He was interviewed about both exhibitions in The Classic magazine in issue 1 and issue 11.

His interests in vintage photography were focused on the early period from Talbot and Fenton to later 19th-century masters, such as P. H. Emerson, whom Hershkowitz described as being a key influence on both artists and photographers from Miller to Stieglitz.

Hershkowitz was a leading British dealer in fine early European photographs generally buying in Britain and Europe and selling to collectors and, especially, institutions, in the United States. He handled the estate of Tony Ray-Jones for a period, and he curated The Essential Fenton show at Photo London 2019. He wrote a number of articles on P H Emerson, and was the author of The British Photographer Abroad: The First Thirty Years (1980). He and Paula were regular attendees at the various London photograph fairs and auctions over many years.

A profile published in 1980 in The Photographic Collector noted that ‘he has a very fine personal collection' and he described himself there as a 'dealer's dealer'. One of his great loves was Roger Fenton, and Hershkowitz spent a considerable time studying his photography and tracking down rare prints, some of which were offered in his selling exhibitions.

His clients included The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC; The National Gallery, London; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; The J. Paul Getty Museum; the Chicago Art Institute; the Boston Museum of Fine Arts; and the National Gallery of Canada, amongst other major museums. In 1991 he presented Masterworks of Early European Photography at Hamiltons Gallery, London.

He is survived by his wife Paula and his daughter Kate, who has been working along side her parents in the last few years.

Some of the online comments about his passing:

Roland Belgrave, British photo dealer: “My condolences. He cannot be replaced, one of the keenest eyes in the business and a huge inspiration when i started out many years ago. Someone i always looked up to and wanted to emulate. Was also always a pleasure to do business with. One of the greats in my niche world of 19th-century photography dealing.”

Bruno Tartarin, French Photography dealer and publisher of the Classic magazine: “Bobby was much more than a dealer; he was a true institution and a source of inspiration for us all. His expertise and his contribution to the history of photography will be long remembered. My thoughts are with his family during these difficult times. Rest in peace, Bobby.”

Anderson and Low, English photographers: “It feels utterly horrible and surreal to be writing this. We are filled with such sadness. How can this be true?? Bobby was absolutely unique – a real one-off. His passionate love of art, and of the photographic image, has inspired so many. Few people could match his knowledge of 19th-century Photography. His incisive and perceptive mind always made discussions and his exhibitions fascinating. We still remember the amazing, wonderful Roger Fenton exhibition at Photo London in which he brilliantly compared a Fenton print to Jasper Johns! But more importantly, we remember with great affection the very many conversations, laughs, giggles and discussions. Our hearts goes out to Paula and the family.”

Corey Keller, American curator: “They broke the mold when they made Bobby. May his memory be a blessing.”

Sarah Kennel, American Curator: “What a loss. Bobby was one of a kind.”

Alex Novak, American Photo Dealer: “How sad! Bobby was one of the most knowledgeable and experienced dealers of British 19th-century photography in the business. He was also an early proponent of early French photography. My condolences to his wife and daughter.”

Ettore Molinario, Italian Photo Collector and Museum Founder: “RIP Robert. Condolences to the family.”

(Editor’s note: We will add other comments as we get them.)