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Record Details

Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing) of Leaves, by Robert Hunt, from the Photographic Experiments of Sir John Herschel, 1839

Inventory Number: 38110
Object Type:
Persons: Robert Hunt (Photographer)
Sir John Frederick William Herschel (Owner)
Date Created:
Accession Number: 1928-71
Brief Description: Experimental photogenic drawing of leaves by Robert Hunt, undated but 1839. The image is a direct-positive contact copy of a leaf left, a twig with four leaves right. The greenish colour is an unusual (and presumably chance) effect, a yellowy colour being typical of Hunt's process, resulting from his use of iodides. Given to Herschel by Hunt as a specimen of his experiments and of the direct-positive photogenic drawing process he invented and (briefly) marketed.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.
Primary Inscriptions: 'washed with Ammon: Mur. | Bleached by Bar: Hydriodat:' [in Robert Hunt's hand].
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:
Height Width Depth Diameter Unit
114 166 mm

Narratives

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