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History of Science Museum

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

Inventory Number 65354


Item type
Object
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).
Physical material
Paper
Dimensions
Height: 70mm Width: 114mm
Inventory No
65354
Accession Number
1928-71

Description

Experimental photogenic drawing by Sir John Herschel, undated but 1839, made as a hypo fixing experiment and for use in positive printing experiments. Oiled for enhanced translucency. This is the negative used by Schultze to make a modern positive, reproduced in his 1965 article (figure 1, p.59).

Subject: engraving 17583, desert landscape with camel

Technique: contact copy

Format: horizontal

Polarity: negative

Orientation: laterally reversed

Quality: good

Colour: dark brown and amber, dark border

Chemistry: silver based, hypo fixed

Coating: oiled

Inscription: none

Paper: thin

Condition: very fragile and brittle, cracks (especially at one corner) and one tear, surface abrasions

Purpose: probably a hypo fixing experiment, but made chiefly as a negative for use in positive printing experiments.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.