Photograph, 'Sciagraphs of British Batrachians and Reptiles', No. 2, London, ca. 1896
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| Brief description | Photograph, 'Sciagraphs of British Batrachians and Reptiles', No. 2, London, ca. 1896 |
| Gallery label | - X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation.
When they were first created in 1895, X-ray images caused a sensation, as they proved the existence of an unseen force and revealed hidden worlds. X-ray images were sometimes called sciagraphs, meaning ‘shadow pictures’, and are also known as radiographs. In radiography, invisible X-rays pass through objects and expose photographic film. These images were made soon after X-rays were discovered. They were admired for the definition of skeletons in relation to the exterior outlines of the animals.(May 2023)
- X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation. When they were first created in 1895, X-ray images caused a sensation, as they proved the existence of an unseen force and revealed hidden worlds. X-ray images were sometimes called sciagraphs, meaning ‘shadow pictures’, and are also known as radiographs. In radiography, invisible X-rays pass through objects and expose photographic film. These images were made soon after X-rays were discovered. They were admired for the definition of skeletons in relation to the exterior outlines of the animals.
- Cameraless Photography
James Green and James H. Gardiner (fl.1890s)
No. 11 Tropidonotus Natrix from Sciagraphs of British Batrachians and Reptiles
c.1896
Printing out paper print
17 x 22.2 cm
Museum no. RPS.1630:7-2018
The Proceedings of the Linnaean Society [sic] (5th November 1896) notes, ‘James Green and J.H. Gardiner exhibited a series of sciagraphs … in which the details of the skeleton were very sharply defined, and its relation to the external outline well shown.’ In addition to its scientific value, this image of a coiled grass snake, a predator of the common frog in the previous plate, has a strong graphic quality.
The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A, acquired with the generous assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Art Fund
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| 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. |
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Suggest feedback| Record created | March 20, 2018 |
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