Hijas de Pliego, a photographic studio in Pamplona (1924-1934)

Abstract

Under the trade name of Hijas de Pliego, Esmeralda, Blanca and Isolina Pliego Soler ran the only female photographic studio in Pamplona between 1924 and 1934. They inherited the establishment from their father and were part of the second generation of photographers in this city, acquiring technical and aesthetic knowledge in the family studios. They were first assistants in their father's studio and then also his heirs, after the untimely death of their brother Emilio Carlos Pliego. They were 45, 44 and 31 years old respectively, lived together in the family home and were single. Their studio was located at Plaza del Castillo, 22, next to the Gayarre Theater. There they carried out studio work, portraying the Pamplona bourgeoisie with impeccable technique and modern style. They also collaborated with the local and national press, publishing portraits and photo news. The aim of this work is to investigate the biographical and professional trajectories of María de la Esmeralda Eloísa Leopoldina, (1878 - 1952), Blanca Rufina Isabel (1879 - 1936) and Isolina Jovita, (1892 - 1969) and to study their photographic work, both studio and their collaborations with the local and national press. The methodology developed consisted of the analysis and collation of a wide range of oral, archival and newspaper sources; the systematic review of bibliographic sources, such as yearbooks and commercial guides, both regional and national, and the critical analysis of the corpus of photographic works preserved in institutions and private collections.