Aleksander KUBLER, Photograph, 1880–1890

,court photographer to the Emperor of Austria. There were many photography studios operating in Kolomyia, thanks to which thousands of photographs depicting the city’s residents, its most important landmarks, and the celebrations held there have been preserved.

Their owners included, among others: Władysław Droździewicz—who owned the “Maryla” studio next to the post office; Wilhelm Eibel—who operated at 25 Franciszka Józefa Street; Michalina Hnatkowska and Zdzisław Bronisław Żydło at 16 Piłsudskiego Street, as well as Juliusz Dutkiewicz, Eugeniusz Jurkiewicz, Jiži Chrža (of Czech origin), and Adolf Müller.

The most famous among them, who was awarded the title of court photographer to the Emperor of Austria and had the privilege of photographing the imperial family, was Aleksander Kübler (1874–1964)—of German descent. His father, Walenty, a printing press owner, came from Frankfurt am Main. Aleksander became a photographer against his father’s wishes and pursued his profession with great passion. He became famous in his youth for photographing an image of the Virgin Mary at the Dominican monastery in Podkamień—the “Częstochowa of Podolia.”