Fratelli Alinari Editori (Florence)

RA Collection: People and Organisations

Founded in Florence in 1854 by brothers Romualdo (1830-1890), Giuseppe (1836-1890) and Leopoldo (1832-1865), Leopoldo was initially the photographer whilst Giuseppe supervised the printing process and Romualdo dealt with administration. Although 'Fratelli Alinari' also produced architectural and portrait photography, it was Fine Art photography that was to bring international recognition. After Leopoldo's death, his son Vittorio replaced him and the company continued to be highly successful. In 1920, a business group led by Baron Riscasoli acquired the company from Vittorio and became Fratelli Alinari I.D.E.A. (Instituto di Edizioni Artistiche). The archive continued to expand having branches in Rome, Naples and Milan and in the 1960s acquired collections by other photographers including Brogi and Anderson. The Fratelli Alinari Museum of the History of Photography was founded in 1985.