Viuda de Oliván and brother

José Oliván Cabrero was a photographer with his studio in Calle del Príncipe in Madrid. Since 1874 he established himself Paseo de Carmelitas in Salamanca. He was the initiator of one of the most important photography dynasties in Salamanca, which also included his wife Vicenta Gombau, his brother-in-law Venancio Gombau, and the descendants of the latter.

When José Oliván passed away in 1888, his widow Vicenta Gombau took over the business with the support of her brother Venancio. Between 1888 and 1890, the studio was called "Viuda de Oliván" (Oliván's Widow), and from 1890, with Venancio joining the business, it was renamed "Viuda de Oliván y hermano" (Oliván's Widow and Brother). This name remained until Venancio Gombau decided to set up his own business around 1902 in 18 Calle Prior. After her brother-in-law's departure, Vicenta reverted to the name "Viuda de Oliván" and continued working the Paseo de Carmelitas studio. She later moved to smaller locations in Calle Toro and Calle Doctor Riesco. Around 1915, she left the photography business. Venancio Gombau remained active and ran his Calle Prior business until his death in 1929.

Information taken from: González, Ricardo, "El asombro en la mirada", Salamanca 2002, pp. 161 and 162; and Conesa, Maite, "La Salamanca de los Gombau", Salamanca, 1996, pp. 14 and 15.