Description

Extended Data

DAAO URL

https://www.daao.org.au/bio/thomas-chevalier

Birth Place

United Kingdom

Biography

professional photographer, of no known connection to painter Nicholas Chevalier. He is likely to be the Thomas Chevalier who arrived in 1855 listing profession as grocer possibly as he was leaving a wife in England. Where Thomas learned photography is unknown but he was prominent among Sandhurst (Bendigo) photographers before 1870. He had a studio called Chevalier’s Photographic Portrait Gallery in Pall Mall from 1865 to 1868, at one time advertising: 'Mr. Chevalier in returning thanks for past patronage, begs to inform his customers and the public in general, that he has the best lighted rooms in the colony. The sky and side lights afford a soft and beautiful light, which enables the sitter to obtain a life-like portrait’. He offered a variety of portrait styles, regardless of weather, and sold imported frames and cases. An advertisement of 1865 offering copies of cartes-de-visite taken by him over the preceding four years suggests that he had been working in the area since about 1861. Although primarily a studio photographer, Chevalier also produced photographs of early business premises and public buildings in and around Sandhurst. For a time he had a branch establishment at nearby Eaglehawk and was briefly a hotel-keeper there. Little is known of his movements after setting up a studio in Smith Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne, between 1877 and 1882. He appears to have become a builder and left a reasonable estate. This entry is a stub. You can help the DAAO by submitting a biography. Writers: Cusack, Frank newtog Date written: 1992 Last updated: 2022

Born

b. 1826

Summary

Professional photographer in Bendigo and Melbourne, Victoria. He was primarily a studio photographer but he also produced photographs of early business premises and public buildings in and around Sandhurst (Bendigo, Vic.).

Gender

Male

Died

29 March 1898

Age at death

72