Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing) of Lace, by Sir John Herschel, April 19, 1839

Experimental photogenic drawing of lace by Sir John Herschel, April 19, 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 26027). The chemistry is not noted, though the unusual pale pink colour suggests a variation; other experiments of the same date include fixing with distilled water (45077), hypo fixing (70474), and another pale pink specimen with chemistry not noted (31741).

Subject: lace with flower-decoration

Technique: contact copy

Format: inscription vertical

Polarity: negative

Orientation: not apparent

Quality: pale but good highlights, lace detail visible but not very clear

Colour: very pale pink, white highlights, darker patches may be on the original or background

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

Coating: none

Inscription: date

Paper: thin, cut to slightly irregular shape

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.