Collection: Jean Baptiste Louis Gros

Jean-Baptiste Louis Gros (1793–1870), also known as Baron Gros, was a French diplomat, senator, painter, and a pioneer of photography. Born in Ivry-sur-Seine and dying in Paris, he pursued a multifaceted career that combined public service with artistic endeavors.

Gros became a notable daguerreotypist, producing significant early photographs, including views of the Acropolis. His painted works include "Souvenir of Tuscany" (c. 1845) and "Remembrance of Italy" (c. 1866), alongside various portraits. These demonstrate his engagement with both landscape and figural subjects.

His diplomatic career provided extensive travel opportunities, serving as chargé d'affaires in Bogotá (1838–1842) and Athens (1850), and later as ambassador to London (1852–1863). During his ambassadorship in London, he undertook missions to China and Japan (1857–1858).