Carlos Relvas was one of the most important pioneers of 19th-century photography. He lived from 1838 to 1894 in Golegã, the so-called horse capital of Portugal and the home of the famous Lusitano horse. Accordingly he was not only interested in photography but also in various other sporting activities, especially with horses. As a scion of a wealthy noble family, he was excellently educated by private tutors in various fields of science and languages. Opposite his manor, he built his impressive studio, which consisted of three levels. Relvas significantly contributed to the development of photographic art in Portugal. He won numerous awards and prizes at international exhibitions. He saw the camera not just as a technical tool but as an artistic medium. Relvas combined the precision of photography with a sense of composition and aesthetics reminiscent of classical painting. His works, often portraits and landscapes, capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow and convey a clear artistic vision.
The Comparison
Compared to today’s concepts of PhotoArt, as I practice it, Relvas‘ approach was deeply rooted in reality. He used the technology of his time to capture moments authentically and yet already with a touch of abstraction. In his vast, fully glazed studio, he managed to imbue each of his images with a unique atmosphere. He used sunlight, times of day, and a sophisticated system of curtains to create the distinctive mood we can still feel in his works. Visiting his studio building is a real time travel for a photo artist like me. It catapulted me into another era and allowed me to feel the creativity and inspiration of Carlos Relvas in every corner of this magnificent house, which he himself designed and built.
His works show that creativity and artistic inspiration are irreplaceable, even by sophisticated digital technology. Although I work in a completely different way, I still felt a strong connection to his art, and I realized that it is not that far from what I create today. The tools may be different but the spirit and inspiration are not.
My Work Today
I use digital tools to change, distort, and create new dimensions that grow out of the original image. Where Relvas sought the perfect photo, I strive for a blend of reality and fantasy to tell stories and evoke emotions that go beyond the image.
Today, PhotoArt includes digital manipulation, turning photography into a creative means of expression that can merge realism and abstraction. Carlos Relvas laid the foundation for the artistic possibilities we have today through his innovative use of photography. While his works were firmly rooted in reality, today’s digital art offers a variety of new techniques and styles, allowing a journey through reality, myth, and imagination. In my work, I try to create this connection by merging the tradition of photography with the freedom of digital art, just as Relvas expressed his artistic vision through the camera.
His work remains an inspiration to me, particularly in his ability to make the invisible visible and reveal a deeper layer of reality which, in my opinion, is the essence of PhotoArt.