Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, February 7, 1839 | |||||||||||
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| Inventory Number: | 18828 | ||||||||||
| Object Type: | | ||||||||||
| Persons: |
Sir John Frederick William Herschel (Photographer) | ||||||||||
| Date Created: | 1839 | ||||||||||
| Accession Number: | 1928-71 | ||||||||||
| Brief Description: | Experimental photogenic drawing by Sir John Herschel, February 7, 1839, made as a hypo fixing and positive printing experiment during the earliest phase of his photographic researches. This is the oldest dated item among Herschel's photographic experiments, dated February 7, 1839 [Herschel's experiments began on January 29, Talbot's invention of the photogenic drawing was announced on January 25]. It represents both of Herschel's main concerns at this early period. Being a positive, it is not only a hypo fixing experiment but an experiment in 're-reversal' or 're-transfer' - the correction of the tonal reversal by making a positive photogenic drawing from a negative photogenic drawing. Subject: engraving, grand building with gabled pediment and arches [Edinburgh Royal Exchange] Technique: contact copy (print) from a negative Format: horizontal Polarity: positive Orientation: correct Quality: very faint Colour: pale fawn or very pale sepia, greyish fawn and sepia stains on back Chemistry: silver based, hypo fixed Coating: none Inscription: date Paper: normal, thickish Condition: good Purpose: a hypo fixing experiment and also a positive printing experiment. For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives. | ||||||||||
| Primary Inscriptions: | 'Feb.7/39' [in Herschel's hand]. Also part of inscription on front, bottom right. | ||||||||||
| Provenance: | Presented by Miss Herschel and Lady Lubbock in 1928. They were the two surviving and youngest children of Sir John Herschel (Francisca and Constance). | ||||||||||
| Collection Group: | Herschel's Photographic Experiments | ||||||||||
| Material(s): |
Paper | ||||||||||
| Dimensions: |
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Narratives | |||||||||||
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