Photograph thumbnail 1
Not on display

Photograph

ca. 1840-1860 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The daguerreotype process was introduced to the public in 1839 by Frenchman Louis Daguerre, and was hugely popular as a medium for portraiture until the middle of the 1850s. To create a daguerreotype, a silver plated sheet was given a light sensitive surface coating of iodine vapour. After a long exposure in the camera, the image was developed over heated mercury and fixed in a common salt solution. The image lies on a mirror-like surface and is best seen from an angle to minimise reflections.The surface of daguerreotypes is delicate and easily damaged, so professionally finished images were presented in a protective case or frame.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Daguerreotype, copper, glass, gilt mount, case, tinted
Brief description
Daguerreotype portrait of a man, gilt mount and maker's case; Kilburn, William Edward, c.1840-60
Physical description
Daguerreotype portait of an elderly man seated and holding a walking stick or cane. He wears a double breasated jacket and is looking down.
Dimensions
  • Closed case width width: 87mm
Marks and inscriptions
'BY APPOINTMENT / MR. KILBURN / 234 REGENT STREET' (Impressed gold stamp with crest on front of case)
Summary
The daguerreotype process was introduced to the public in 1839 by Frenchman Louis Daguerre, and was hugely popular as a medium for portraiture until the middle of the 1850s. To create a daguerreotype, a silver plated sheet was given a light sensitive surface coating of iodine vapour. After a long exposure in the camera, the image was developed over heated mercury and fixed in a common salt solution. The image lies on a mirror-like surface and is best seen from an angle to minimise reflections.The surface of daguerreotypes is delicate and easily damaged, so professionally finished images were presented in a protective case or frame.
Collection
Accession number
E.1173-1992

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Record createdMarch 17, 2009
Record URL
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