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

Experimental photogenic drawing of lace by Sir John Herschel, undated but 1839. One of only two examples of Herschel departing from his use of engravings and using lace as a photographic test object (the other is 30855). The chemistry is not noted, though the unusual rust red colour suggests a variation.

Subject: lace of plain diamond net

Technique: contact copy

Format: not apparent

Polarity: negative

Orientation: not apparent

Quality: good, lace pattern very clear

Colour: rusty red, yellowy at one edge and two corners, dark marks and line may be on original or background

Chemistry: presumably silver based and hypo fixed, though the colour is unusual

Coating: none

Inscription: none

Paper: thin

Condition: good

Purpose: probably a fixing experiment, though chiefly a trail of lace as a test object, see above.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.