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 |
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| 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 created | March 17, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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