Mid-infrared images of the Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 279 obtained with the ISO satellite are presented together with the results of a one-year monitoring campaign of the 2.5-11.7μm spectrum. Contemporaneous optical photometric and spectrophotometric observations are also presented. The galaxy appears as a point-like source at the resolution of the ISOCAM instrument (4-5"). The 2.5-11.7μm average spectrum of the nucleus in Mrk 279 shows a strong power law continuum with α=-0.80+/-0.05 (Fν{prop.to}να) and weak PAH emission features. The Mrk 279 spectral energy distribution shows a mid-IR bump, which extends from 2 to 15-20μm. The mid-IR bump is consistent with thermal emission from dust grains at a distance of >100 light-days. No significant variations of the mid-IR flux have been detected during our observing campaign, consistent with the relatively low amplitude (~10% rms) of the optical variability during the campaign. The time delay for Hβ line emission in response to the optical continuum variations is τ=16.7+5.3-5.6days, consistent with previous measurements. (2 data files).