Caneva, Giacomo (1813-65), Italian artist and photographer, born in Padua. After training as a draughtsman and view painter, Caneva settled in Rome in 1838 and subsequently took up photography, in 1845 describing himself in the Caffé Greco's artist register as a ‘painter-photographer’. He became a master of the improved calotype and waxed-paper processes, producing views of Rome and its surroundings, photographs of works in the Vatican Museum, genre scenes, and painterly allegories (e.g. Caritas Romana, 1850-2). He sold some of his pictures via his friend, the photographer Tommaso Cuccioni (c. 1790-1864). In 1855 he published a practical treatise on photography and in 1859, according to Piero Becchetti, participated in an expedition to India and China.
— Robin Lenman
Bibliography
- Becchetti, P., Giacomo Caneva e la scuola fotografica romana (1989)
