Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, 1839

Experimental photogenic drawing by Sir John Herschel, undated but 1839, made as a fixing experiment and also used as a negative in positive printing experiments. The usual border has been trimmed away, though a small part remains indicating that it was retouched in ink; the sky has also been retouched on the back using black ink.

Subject: engraving 60353, landscape with figure carrying pot on head

Technique: contact copy

Format: horizontal

Polarity: negative

Orientation: laterally reversed

Quality: good

Colour: pale brown, black ink

Chemistry: silver based, presumably hypo fixed

Coating: black ink retouching on back and to border

Inscription: none

Paper: thin

Condition: good

Purpose: presumably a hypo fixing experiment, also used as a negative in positive printing (and retouching) experiments.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.