HF Gros Photographs

Little recognition has been given to Henri Ferdinand Gros for his outstanding contribution to the South African photographic history between 1869 and 1890. No other photographer has contributed to the then Transvaal photographic history like Gros. Without the Gros photographs, we would not have had an idea of what Pretoria looked like between 1875 and 1890. Gros certainly had the insight to identify the value of pictorial documentation. His photographic technique also was nothing short of perfection for those days, considering that the art of commercial photography was hardly 30 years old by the time he started off as a photographer.

South Africa’s history is significantly younger than that of Europe. The town of Pretoria, was only proclaimed in 1855, some 16 years after the invention of photography.

Although Cowan (1978) has published a rather extensive article on this pioneer photographer, this article attempts to broaden the available information on this interesting yet secretive individual. Research into Gros was complicated due to the limited information available on him.

Henri Ferdinand Gros

Gros was born in Switzerland at Petit-Saconnex (today part of Geneva) on 7 May 1842. He was the youngest son to Louis Gros and Fanny Escoffey.

Even in Gros’s early years his restless nature and inclination to travel regularly became evident.

Gros was issued with a passport to travel to England via France on 20 June 1865. His profession indicated on the passport was that of bookkeeper. In an 1878 South African photographic newspaper advertisement, Gros indicated that he...

H Ferdinand Gros was of Swiss origin. He arrived in South Africa circa 1869. On July 16th 1870 he was advertising that the Photographic Salon 'will resume again' in the 'Burgherdorp Gazette'. In the 'Diamond News' on March 9th 1872 he announced that he was taking over the studio of Weber and Gros and that he would soon open a 'Superb Salon' at New Rush (Kimberley). The New Rush studio was advertised for sale in 'Diamond News' 13th April 1872. However, this sale appears not to have happened as in 'Diamond News' on October 8th and December 10th 1872 he was still advertising the New Rush studio. He visited the goldfields at Pilgrim's Rest and Mac Mac ('Diamond News' May 9th 1874 and February 13th 1875). He also visited Lydenburg goldfields. In 1877 he set up the 'Photographic Gallery' at the corner of Church Street and van der Walt Street, Pretoria. In 1877 he photographed the Transvaal Annexation Commission at Ulundi House, Pretoria. He also photographed scenes in Pretoria during the First Boer War, these were later bound in to the limited edition (200 copies) of 'News of the Camp' (1880-81). He photographed Chief Sekukuni in 1879. Circa 1888 he made a photographic tour of the Transvaal. He returned to Europe in 1895 and his Pretoria studio was taken over by J. Perrin (Cowan 1978, pp.99-101).

Below is a small selection of photographs taken by Gros. 

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In a recent newsletter we carried a link to an archived article on the Significance of Northcliff Hill. The response was impressive to say the least with a large number of views and incoming emails. One of the emails we received was from Rod Kruger who sent in a wonderful combination of 'Then and Now' photographs.

The 'Then' photograph was taken by the photographer H.F. Gros around 1885, the year before the establishment of Johannesburg. The 'Now' photograph is a more recent pic from Rod Kruger's private collection.

The photos could generate quite a discussion on the history and growth of Johannesburg!

Then

Now (2014)

When first published these two photos generated quite a discussion. Below are a few screenshots from social media threads.