George Houghton
Photograph
c. 1845 (photographed)
c. 1845 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Claudet was a student of Daguerre, and was among the first to open a photographic portrait studio in London. Though praised for their sharp and minute detail, daguerreotypes were criticised by many for making sitters appear ashen and deathly due to their grey tones. To combat this, some portraits were coloured by hand for a more life-like effect.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | George Houghton (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Daguerreotype in a wooden case |
| Brief description | Photograph by Antoine Claudet, Portrait of George Houghton, daguerreotype, c. 1845. |
| Physical description | Daguerreotype of a half-length portrait of a man with his left elbow resting on a piece of furniture, in front of a painted backdrop of a balustrade and wooded scenery. The sitter is George Houghton, a glass merchant in London who partnered with Claudet in 1834 to manage a glass warehouse that made photographic equipment. The daguerreotype is in a gold-coloured mount with a rectangular window with curved corners. This is glazed, in a leather-coated wooden box lined with red velvet. There are two metal hook fastenings on the right side. Claudet's stamp is on the front cover. |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | Photography Centre, 2018-20:
Antoine Claudet (1797–1867)
Portraits: Andrew Pritchard; Mrs Andrew Pritchard; Michael Faraday; William Henry Fox Talbot; Young Man; Elderly Man; Young Man; Grandmother Houghton; Elderly Woman; George Houghton; Unknown Woman; John Flight; Young Woman, possibly from the Houghton Family
1840s–50s
Claudet was a student of Daguerre, and was among the first to open a photographic portrait studio in London. Though praised for their sharp and minute detail, daguerreotypes were criticised by many for making sitters appear ashen and deathly due to their grey tones. To combat this, some portraits were coloured by hand for a more life-like effect.
Daguerreotypes
Museum nos. 57, 1422-1939; RPS.373, 374, 377, 378, 387, 388, 389, 426, 492, 495 & 532-2017
The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A, acquired with the generous assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Art Fund |
| Credit line | The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A, acquired with the generous assistance of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Art Fund. |
| Summary | Claudet was a student of Daguerre, and was among the first to open a photographic portrait studio in London. Though praised for their sharp and minute detail, daguerreotypes were criticised by many for making sitters appear ashen and deathly due to their grey tones. To combat this, some portraits were coloured by hand for a more life-like effect. |
| Associated object | PROV.6566-2017 (RPS Group record) |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | RPS.426-2017 |
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| Record created | June 9, 2017 |
| Record URL |
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