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 2.5-11.7{mu}m 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 2.5-11.7{mu}m average spectrum of the nucleus in Mrk 279 shows a strong power law continuum with {alpha}=-0.80+/-0.05 (F_{nu}_{prop.to}{nu}^{alpha}^) and weak PAH emission features. The Mrk 279 spectral energy distribution shows a mid-IR bump, which extends from 2 to 15-20{mu}m. 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 H{beta} line emission in response to the optical continuum variations is {tau}=16.7^+5.3^_-5.6_days, consistent with previous measurements.