Francesco Negri

Francesco Negri (18 December 1841 – 21 December 1924) was an Italian photographer known not only as a pictorialist but for his innovative work in photomicroscopy, in the development of the telephoto lens, and for his early experiments in Louis Ducos du Hauron’s techniques of colour photography. His scientific and cultural pursuits included botany and local history: in both fields his publications remain significant. He served as Mayor of Casale Monferrato. In the meantime by profession he was a lawyer.

Negri was born in Tromello in Lomellina (PV) to Angelo Maria Negri and Maria Magnaghi who were well-off and well-connected. He attended secondary school in Vigevano, then took a law degree in Turin, graduating in 1861. The following year he moved to Casale Monferrato where he married Giulia Ravizza and pursued a career in a civil law.

Negri died in Casale on 21 December 1924.

• Bergaglio, B. and Cavanna, P. (2006) Francesco Negri fotografo, 1841-1924. Milan: Silvana. ISBN 9788836607464