Napoleon Sarony

Napoleon Sarony (1821–1896) was a Canadian-born American lithographer and photographer celebrated for his portraits of 19th-century actors, writers, and public figures. Born in Quebec, he trained as a lithographer in New York, where he co-founded the firm Sarony & Major, producing finely detailed lithographs of theatrical scenes, political subjects, and city views.

In the 1860s, Sarony turned to photography, establishing one of the most fashionable portrait studios in New York City. His theatrical, carefully staged cabinet photographs of celebrities such as Oscar Wilde, Sarah Bernhardt, and Mark Twain made him one of the most recognized photographers of his time. Known for his flair and artistry, Sarony helped elevate photographic portraiture to an expressive and commercially successful art form.