Self Potraits by the artist

Van-Leo, born Leon Alexander Boyadjian in the village of Jihan Turkey, came to Egypt as a child in 1924. It was here that he would grow up, be schooled and, above all, discover and pursue his love of photography. It was a love that would eventually lead to more than fifty years of outstanding studio photography. Fifty years of portraiture—of the famous and of the not-so-famous, of pashas and generals, of film stars and dancers. Thousands of photographs, but each a unique portrait, due to Van-Leo's unparalleled ability to tailor each session to the personality and character of his subject. It was said that Van-Leo could make everyone look like a star. More

View sample photographs from the collection.

"Van-Leo's fifty years of portraits has evolved into a magnificent collection of works of art, as well as a unique record of the cultural, political and social history of his beloved Cairo."