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A Stiff Pull
Emerson, Peter Henry, born 1856 - died 1936 - Enlarge image
A Stiff Pull
- Object:
Photograph
- Place of origin:
East Anglia (photographed)
England (photographed) - Date:
1882-1888 (photographed)
1890 (published)
1888 (published)
1890 (published) - Artist/Maker:
Emerson, Peter Henry, born 1856 - died 1936 (photographer)
- Materials and Techniques:
photogravure
- Credit Line:
Presented by Mr. P. H. Emerson on 18 July, 1890
- Museum number:
PH.2115-1896
- Gallery location:
Prints & Drawings Study Room, level H, case X, shelf 418, box B
In 1889 Emerson published his controversial book 'Naturalistic Photography for Students of the Art' without images. 'Naturalistic Photography' examined his purist approach to photography, derived from his fascination with Naturalism in art, and attacked the prevailing artificial aesthetic in art photography. After its publication Emerson felt that his opponents had misunderstood his ideas. So, in 1890 he selected 10 plates from his book 'Pictures of East Anglian Life' (1888) that best illustrated his theories, and presented them loose in a portfolio dedicated to the ‘photographic student’, with the same title and cover of the book. He then donated copies of this portfolio to every photographic society in the country.
Emerson won a silver medal in 1885 in The Country House Competition for the original version of this image, produced as an albumen print. In this photogravure, published in the book and the portfolio, the clouds have been enhanced for greater dramatic effect, and the tree that appeared in the right-hand corner of the albumen print has been completely removed.
