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

Subject: Photography
Item type: Object
Makers: John Herschel
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).
Primary inscriptions: '513'.
Physical material: Paper
Dimensions: Height: 95mm Width: 120mm
Inventory No: 38364
Accession Number: 1928-71

Description

Experimental photogenic drawing by Sir John Herschel, undated but 1839, made as a fixing and positive printing experiment.

Subject: engraving, landscape with figures kneeling to shrine

Technique: contact copy (print) from a negative

Format: horizontal

Polarity: positive

Orientation: correct

Quality: barely discernible

Colour: pale lilac, browned at edges, plain back

Chemistry: silver based, probably hypo fixed

Coating: none

Inscription: number

Paper: normal

Condition: good

Purpose: a fixing and positive printing experiment.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.